
Class "PA LS70 
Book — i A-SC^ 



PLAUTI COMCEDLE SEPTEM 

SELECTS; 

ANGLICE REDDIT^E, 
EXPURGATE. 

SEVEN COMEDIES OF PLAUTUS 

SELECT, 

TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH 

LITERALLY AND GRAMMATICALLY, 
AND CLEARED OF OBJECTIONABLE PASSAGES, 

THE MODE OF ACTING THEM, AND THE STAGE BUSINESS, ARE 
CAREFULLY SET DOWN. 



rot 



THE COMEDIES ARE, 

AULULARIA, EPIDICUS, MENjECHMI, MERCATOR, 
PSEUDOLUS, TRINUMMUS, AND RUDENS. 



BY THE 

REV. GEORGE SACKVILLE COTTER, A.M. 

TRANSLATOR OF TERENCE, FORMERLY CAPTAIN OF WESTMINSTER SCHOOL 
AND AN ACTOR THERE IN THREE OF TERENCE'S COMEDIES. 



FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS AND SEMINARIES. 



His utere raecum. — Hor. 

. ! 

>• 



LONDON: e^ofvv 

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY J. F. DOVE, 

ST, JOHN'S SQUARE. 

1827, 

1 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



Be it knoivn, that this translation is a strict construing 
of the Latin of Plautus for the sake of schools. 



A SCHEDULE 

Shewing the method of strictly construing Latin verbs into English according to 
grammatical rule, as practised in my translations of Plautus and Terence, set 
down for the use of schools. — G. S. Cotter. 



Tenses. 
Present 
Imperfect 
Future 
Perfect 
Pluperfect 
2d Future 



Present 
Imperfect 

Perfect 
Pluperfect 



Indicatives. 
Scribo — I write, I do write, I am writing. 
Scribebam — I did write, I was writing. 
Scribam — I will write, I shall write. 
Scripsi — I wrote, I have written. 
Scripseram — I had written. 
Scripsero — I shall have written, I will have written. 

Potentials. 
Scribam — I may, or can, or must write. 
Scriberem — I might, or could, or would, or should 

write. 
Scripserim — I may, or can, or must have written. 
Scripsissem — I might or could, or would, or should 

have written. 



These English moods, having such a variety in their meanings, 
must be judiciously applied in construing Latin, in order to make 
strong sense and meaning in the sentences. No changing of any 
one tense or mood, differing from the original, can be allowed in 
construing. Strict construing, is true translating. Whoever alters 
moods and tenses in translating Latin into English, is a bad gram- 
marian, and a bad translator — he runs wild, like an untaught colt, 
and substitutes his own friskings for a sound and true mode of going 
— he makes a sort of paraphrase, but no translation. 



DEDICATION. 



THIS BOOK 
IS DEDICATED, BY PERMISSION, 

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ROBERT PEEL, 

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT; 

A GENTLEMAN 

OF SOUND LEARNING AND POLITE SCHOLARSHIP, 

A PATRON OF LITERATURE, 
HIGHLY ESTEEMED AND RESPECTED AS A TRUE PATRIOT, 

AN- ELOQUENT ORATOR IN THE SENATE, 

AN ABLE STATESMAN, WISE IN COUNSEL, 

LOYAL TO HIS KING, 

AND 

A FIRM SUPPORTER OF OUR EXCELLENT CONSTITUTION IN CHURCH AND STATE. 

TO HIM, 

AS AN ACCOMPLISHED SCHOLAR, 

AND A JUST CRITIC, 

SUBMITS THIS WORK OF TRANSLATION, 

WITH DEFERENCE AND RESPECT, 



THE AUTHOR. 



SALUTATIO. 

EXIMIUM VIRUM 

PERQUAM HONORABILEM ROBERTUM PEEL, 

CUI SCILICET REX PI ENTISSIMUS 

ARDUUM SANE MUNUS 

REGNI SUI RES PUBLICAS ADMINISTRANDI COMMISIT, 

ET QUI ISTHOC OPTIME FUNCTUS EST OFFICIO, ET FUNGITUR 

IN HONOREM PATRUE, ET DECUS, ET GLORlAM, 

PLURIMA salute, TALEM TANTUMQUE, IMPERTIT 

DEMISSE EQUIDEM 

HUJUSCE LIBRI AUCTOR. 



PREFACE. 



Seven Comedies of Plautus, in this translation, 
namely, the Aulularia, Epidicus, Mensechmi, Mercator, 
Pseudolus, Trinummus, and Rudens, cleared of impro- 
prieties, and elucidated, are hereby made fit for acting; 
and this translation will be a guide to scholars in our 
public schools, who maybe appointed by the masters to 
act the plays in Latin, for their improvement in that 
language. Those readers, who choose to study this 
translation, without consulting the Latin original, will 
find the Comedies pleasant and amusing, and will be 
furnished, without much trouble, with a knowledge of 
the style and manner of the comic writings of the An- 
cients. As for reading them in the Latin original, 
though the Latin is excellent, and well worthy of the 
attention of all classical scholars, it is in many parts 
difficult, and in particular passages so much so, as to 
require much study to construe it grammatically, and 
understand it thoroughly. There is some difficulty 
also, while a reader is puzzled with uncommon words 
and phrases, to unravel the intricacy of the plots, to 



X PREFACE. 

judge of what is referred to, and to comprehend the 
dramatic spirit of the plays, which is often veiled in 
dark obscurity to the eyes of careless or dull readers. 

The labour of selection of the best plays of Plautus 
will not be thought lightly of, when it is considered, 
that, in order to choose those best fitted for acting and 
for reading, the Author was forced to study almost all 
of Plautus's Comedies, which are numerous enough to 
tire out the patience of the most persevering scholar. 
If the Translator may be allowed to compare himself to 
a running horse, that goes over a lengthened course 
with some trial of exertion, perhaps he may attain the 
glory of being at least a well-winded or bottomed horse, 
that went cheerfully and stoutly through very difficult 
and rough ways of a neglected course. Though he is 
an aged racer (iEtat. 72), he flatters himself that he car- 
ries his weight well and vigorously, measures his strides 
with judgment, and neither bolts from the course, nor 
runs on the wrong side of the post. 

The Writer of this translation intended it to be closely 
literal and grammatical, paying accurate attention to 
moods and tenses, and preserving carefully the spirit 
of the original. He trusts that he has rendered the 
Latin of Plautus into English in good language, plain, 
and best adapted to the meaning and construction of 
the sentences. If there had been a greater latitude, the 
style might have been easily made more elegant. But 



PREFACE. XI 

for the benefit of all young scholars, and some of their 
teachers, he made the construction perfectly close, and 
in the precise language, in which the pupils and the 
preceptors ought grammatically to construe the Latin of 
Plautus. 

It is to be hoped that this book will be found by all 
readers to be amusing. May it also prove useful to the 
scholars, useful to the masters and tutors, and useful to 
literature, by calling attention to these beautiful ancient 
writings, now neglected and nearly forgotten by the 
learned and classical world ! — FloreantPlautiComcedise ! 

Talia si obtigerint, Author nihil amplius optat. 

George Sackville Cotter. 

October, 1826. 



N. B. At the end of the Volume is given an account 
of the Life of Plautus ; also an opinion of his writings, 
and the judgment of some ancient writers respecting 
them, Some observations are also made on the good 
qualities of Terence's Comedies. 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 
AULULARIA. 



CHARACTERS IN THE COMEDY. 



Euclio, an Athenian old Gentleman, a Miser. 

PhjEDRIA, the daughter of Euclio. 

Staph yla, an old maid-servant of Euclio. 

Megadorus, a respectable Gentleman of Athens. 

Eunomia, the sister o/'Megadorus. 

Ly con ides, the son o/Eunomia(a?^ Antimachus), the nephew 

o/'Megadorus, in love with Phaedria. 
Strobilus, a servant o/'Megadorus. 
Strobilus, a servant 0/ Lyconides. 
Pythodicus, a servant. 
Anthorax and Congrio, two cooks. 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 
AULULARIA. 



Scene. — A street in Athens. Megadoeus's house on one 
side, and Euclio's on the other, with their doors opposite. 
An altar on one side, between the houses and the back scene. 



ACTUS PRIMUS. 
SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Euclio from his house, driving before him, with a whip, 
his old maid-servant Staph y la, to the middle of the stage. 

Euc. Get out, I say, and away with yourself, [fogs her] 
and get out now ! By Hercules, you must get out of doors; 
hence, thou sp3 r -aboutwoman,with your eyes in all quarters. — 
Sta. [weeping.] But why do you beat me, a wretched woman? 
— Euc. On purpose that you may be wretched, and curst as 
you are, may pass a curst life worthy of you ! — Sta. But for 
what cause now have you thrust me out of the house? — 
Euc. Shall I account to you, thou bundle of stings? [He 
pushes her.] Go back from the door. — Stop there now. [She 
walks on.] Look how stately she walks! But do you know 
how the affair stands with you? By Hercules, if to-day I 
shall have taken up a stick, or a pointed goad into my hand, 
I shall hurry that slow tortoise-step of yours ! — Sta. Oh ! 
that the gods had driven me to hang myself, rather than I 
may be a slave with you indeed in this way! [She mutters 
to herself] — Euc. Now how this piece of wickedness grum- 
bles alone with herself! By Hercules, I will scoop out 
those eyes of yours, you wicked one, that you may not be 
able to watch me, as to what I may be about. [He pushes her.] 
Get away from that! [She comes back.] Again now? what 



* M. ACCII PLAUTI 

again now, again ? [She goes farther off.] Aha ! stand in that 
place ! By Hercules, if you shall have stirred a finger, or a 
nail from that place, across, across or wide of you, or if you 
shall have looked back, until I have ordered you, by Her- 
cules, I will immediately give you up to the rack to learn 
something there. [He comes forward.] I know for certain, 
that I have never seen a more nefarious person than this old 
woman ; and I very wretchedly fear her, lest she may be slily 
cheating me quite ignorant of it, [in a low voice] and lest she 
may find out where the gold is hidden ! she who has eyes 
also in the back of her head, the vilest of wretches ! I will now 
go, that I may see whether the gold is so as I hid it, which 
troubles wretched me most exceedingly. [Exit Euclio 
into his house.] — Sta. [sola.] I cannot truly imagine what I 
may pronounce of malignity or insanity, to have happened 
to my master ; so often he thrust out wretched me in this 
manner from his house, ten times in one day. I know not, 
fegs ! what furies possess that man ! He is on the watch 
whole nights ; but then in the day time he sits whole days, 
as if he were a lame cobbler. I cannot imagine now, in what 
way I can conceal the shame of my master's daughter, whose 
lying-in approaches near ; nor is there any thing better for 
me, as I think, than that I may make a long capital letter of 
myself, when I shall have tied up my neck in a halter. 



SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Eu clio from his house. 

Euc. [Advancing to the front, and speaking to himself in a 
low voice.] At length I go out of my house with a mind free 
from trouble, after that I have seen that all things are safe 
within. [He tarm about to Staphyla.] Return now you im- 
mediately within the house, and keep yourself close within. 
— Sta. Why may I keep within ? Whether lest any one may 
carry away the house ? for here with us there is no other 
gain for thieves ! But it is well filled with cobwebs and 
spiders. — Euc. It is wonderful, that for your sake now, 
Jupiter may not make me king Philip or Darius, you old 
witch ! I wish that those spiders be preserved for me. I 
am poor, I confess it; 1 suffer, I bear what the gods give. 



AULULARIA. O 

Get you gone inside, and shut the door fast. I will be here 
now presently. Take care how you shall have let any 
stranger into the house. As any person may possibly ask 
for fire, I wish it to be extinguished, lest there be a reason 
that any one may ask it of you. For if any fire shall live 
there, [shakes his fist at her] you shall be extinguished at 
once. Then say that the water has run out, if any one shall 
ask for it. The knife, the axe, the pestle and mortar, and 
the vessels of use, which the neighbours are always asking 
for, say thou, that thieves came and carried off. In fact, I 
wish no one to be admitted into my house, I being absent. 
And I also tell you this beforehand, that even if the good 
goddess Fortune herself may come, you shall not have ad- 
mitted her in doors. — Sta. Fegs ! I believe, she herself takes 
care not to be admitted, for though she is near at hand, she 
went no where at any time towards our house. — Eac. Hold 
your prating, and off with you in doors. — Sta. I am silent, 
and am going away. — Euc. Shut up the doors, and, mind me 
now, with both bolts. I will be here just now presently. 
[Exit Staphyla into Euclio 7 s house.'] — Euc. [solus.] lam 
tortured in mind, because I must go away from my house. 
Truly I am going very unwilling. But I know what I must 
do ; for he who is our principal officer of our court, promised 
to divide sums of money among men applying for charity. 
If I relinquish that, and do not ask it, all may instantly 
suspect me, I think, to have gold at home. For it is not 
likely, that a poor man would despise ever so little, but must 
seek a bit of money. But now, when I conceal carefully 
from all, that they may not know my wealth, all seem to 
know it, and salute me more kindly, than they used to salute 
me before. They go towards me, and stop, and shake hands. 
They ask me, how I may be in health, what I may do, and 
what I may be carrying on. [He pauses awhile.] Now I will 
go where I am profited. Afterward, I will betake me home 
again, at as great a rate as I shall be able. 

[Euclio hobbles down the stage to the back scene, and exit.] 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 



ACTUS SECUNDUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter from Megadorus's house, Eunomia and 

Megadorus. 

Eun. I must wish, brother, that you should think, that I 
speak as to this matter for the sake of my own goodwill to you, 
and your advantage, as it is right that a sister should do; al- 
though I am fully aware, that we women are accounted odious. 
For we are all deservedly reckoned very loquacious ; and they 
say at this day, that no woman has been found really dumb in 
any age. But, brother, think of this one thing notwith- 
standing ; that I am nearest in affinity to you, and you also 
to me. How right it is then, that you should counsel and 
advise me, and I you, as to what we may judge to be profit- 
able to each of us ; nor that that should be hidden, nor kept 
in by fear ; but that I may equally make you a partaker of it, 
and you may make me. For that purpose now I have con- 
ducted you privately hither out of doors, that I might here 
speak of your domestic business along with you. — Meg. 
Most excellent woman, give me your hand. {They shake 
hands together.'] — Eun. {Looking about.'] Where is she ? but 
who is that most excellent woman ? — Meg. Thou. — Eun. Do 
you say that so ? — Meg. If you deny it, I deny it. — Eun. It 
becomes you faithfully to speak the truth. For no woman 
can be chosen out as the very best. One woman however, 
brother, is worse than another. — Meg. I think the same 
thing, nor am I fixed ever to oppose you about that affair, 
sister. — Eun. Give attention to me now, my dear brother. — 
Meg. It is yours, use and command it, if you wish any thing. 
— Eun. I come to advise you, as to that which I think best 
to your advantage. — Meg. Sister, you act now in your usual 
manner. — Eun. I wish things were really acted. — Meg. [In 
surprise.] What is it, sister? [Two lines omitted.] — Eun. I 
wish you to bring a wife home. Meg. Hah ! I am now un- 
done ! — Eun. Why thus? — Meg. Because your words dis- 
tract me in misery, sister. You speak stones at my head. — 
Eun. Heighday ! But do this thing that your sister orders 



AULULARIA. 7 

you. — Meg. If it may please you, I will do it. — Ettn. This 
thing is to your good. — Meg. That I may die truly before 
I shall marry ; but if you are willing to give any wife to me, 
I will marry her with these conditions, she who may come 
to-morrow must be carried out of doors the day after to- 
morrow, sister. With these laws give me whom you like to 
give, and prepare the wedding. — Eun. I am able to give you 
a wife, brother, with a very great portion ; but she is some- 
what advanced in age; I mean the middle age of woman is 
hers, and if, brother, you order me to demand her for you, I 
will demand her.— Meg. Do you wish that I should not ask 
you a question? — Eun. Ask it truly, if you wish any thing. 
— Meg. Speaking of a man, who after middle age marries a 
wife of a middle age, if the old man shall haply have a child, 
do you doubt but that child may be called the last? Now I 
will drive off and diminish that uneasiness from you, sister. 
By the power of the gods, and of my, ancestors, I am rich 
enough. I regard not those great families, high dispositions, 
plentiful portions, sounds and pomps, carriages of ivory, 
vestments and purple, which things by their expense reduce 
men to a state of degradation. — Eun. Tell me, prithee, who 
is she, whom you wish to marry? — Meg. I will speak it out. 
Have you known this old fellow, Euclio, a poor mean man 
hard by ? — Eun. I have known him, a man not bad indeed. — 
Meg. I am desirous that his virgin daughter be betrothed to 
me. Do not make any words about it, sister ! I know what 
you are about to say, that this girl is poor. This poor girl 
pleases me. — Eun. May the gods prosper the affair ! — Meg. I 
hope the same. — Eun. What then? do you want me as to 
any thing now ? — Meg. [Shaking hands with her.] Farewell ! 
— Eun. Farewell also thou, my brother! [Exit Eunomia 
into Megadorus's house.] — Meg. [solus.] I will now meet 
Euclio, if he is at home. [Euclio appears at the back scene, 
slowly hobbling along.] But behold him ! I know not from 
whence the man is betaking himself home. [He steps aside.] 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 



SCENA SECUNDA. 



Enter Eu clio from the back scene, and hobbles on, 
not seeing Megadorus. 

Euc. When I was going from home, my mind foreboded, 
that I should go in vain. Therefore I did depart unwilling. 
For no one of the law people came, nor the master of the 
court, whom it behoved to divide the money. Now I hurry 
to get quickly home. For I myself am here, but my mind 
is at home. — Meg. [Advancing towards him.~\ May you be 
well in health, Euclio, and happy at all times ! — Euc. May 
the gods love you, Megadorus ! — Meg. How are you ? Are 
you well in health ? and as you wish ? — Euc. [Turning aside.] 
It is not unintentional, when a rich man speaks kindly to a 
poor man. Now the man there knows that I have gold, and 
for that reason salutes me the more kindly. — Meg. Do you 
say that you are well? — Euc. I am not over well truly in 
regard to money. — Meg. In truth if your mind is proper, 
you have enough ; you who can pass life well. — Euc. [Aside.'] 
By Hercules, the old woman discovered to him about my 
gold. Plainly, it is all abroad. She, whose tongue I will 
just now chop off, and scoop out her eyes at home. — Meg. 
What are you speaking alone with yourself? — Euc. I am 
grumbling about my poverty. I have a lass grown up with- 
out a portion, and who cannot be put into wedlock, nor am 
I able to marry her off to any one. — Meg. Be silent, and 
have courage, Euclio ! She shall be given ; you shall be as- 
sisted by me. Say if you have need of any thing, and com- 
mand me. — Euc. [Aside.] Now when he promises, he is 
seeking my property, and is gaping to devour my gold. In 
one hand he carries a stone, and shews bread in the other. 
I trust to no man, who in wealth is abundantly coaxing to 
a poor man. When he gives his hand with kindness, there 
he lays on that man some damage. I have known well those 
extortioners, who hold fast to themselves whatever they 
may have touched. — Meg. Attend to me awhile. There is 
a matter, Euclio, which I wish in a few w T ords to speak to 
you of, concerning a common affair of mine and yours. — 
Euc. [Aside.] Alas! wretched me ! My gold within has been 
grappled! Now I know he means as to that matter, to make 



AULULARtA. V 

some agreement with me. But I will go to examine my 
house. [He goes towards his door.~] Meg. Where are you 
departing? Euc. I will return to you just now. In truth 
there is something, on account of which I must go home. 
[Exit Euclio into his house.] Meg. [Solus.] I verily believe, 
when I shall have made mention concerning his daughter, 
that he may give her to me in marriage, he will think that 
he is laughed at by me. There is no other man this day 
more distressed from poverty. [Enter Euclio from his 
house.] Euc. [Aside.] The Gods do preserve me. My money 
is safe. It is a secure thing, if none of it is deficient. I 
have been sadly frightened. Before I returned within doors, 
I was almost dead with terror. [He goes up to Megadorus.] I 
return to you, if you wish to say any thing to me, Mega- 
dorus. — Meg. I thank you. I beg as to what I shall ask, 
that it may not grieve you to speak out freely. — Euc. While 
indeed you may not ask any thing, that it can be unpleasant 
to me to speak about. — Meg. Tell me from what quality of 
family you think me descended. — Euc. From a good stock. 
— Meg. What do you think of my honesty? — Euc. Good 
and right. — Meg. What of my actions ? — Euc. Neither bad 
nor wicked. — Meg. Do you know my age? — Euc. I know 
that it is great, as well as your property. — Meg. Certainly 
and truly indeed I have always thought you a citizen without 
a bad intention, and I think so now. — Euc. [Aside.] He 
smells the gold. [To Megadorus.] What now do you wish of 
me 1—rMeg. Because you know me, and I know you, of what 
quality you may be, here is a matter which may turn out 
well both to me and you, and also your daughter. I ask for 
your daughter to be my wife ! Promise now that this shall 
be. — Euc. Heigh-day, Megadorus ! you are doing an action 
not worthy of your usual deeds, that you can mock me who 
am poor, and harmless towards you and your family. For 
I have merited from you neither by conduct, nor by words, 
that you should do what you are now doing. — Meg. Nei- 
ther in truth do I come to mock you, nor do I laugh at 
you, nor do I think you worthy of it. — Euc. Why do you 
therefore ask for my daughter for yourself? — Meg. That on 
account of me, it may be the better for you, and on account 
of you and yours, it may be better for me. — Euc. This thing 
comes into my mind, Megadorus, that you are a rich man, 



10 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

and promising to do great things ; also that I am a man, 
the poorest of poor men. Now if I shall have married my 
daughter to you, it comes into my mind, that you are the 
strong Ox, and that I am the Ass. When I may be yoked 
with you, and when I may not be able to carry the load 
equally, I the poor Ass may lie in the mire. You the great 
Ox may not care about me more, than if I never were born ; 
and I may find you most unjust, and my rank of people may 
laugh at me ; no where may I have a fixed stall, if there may 
be any separation of us. Other Asses may tear me with 
their teeth, and oxen may gore me. This danger is a great 
one, that I should aspire from the station of Asses, to that of 
Oxen. — Meg. As far as you shall have joined yourself very 
closely to good men in alliance, so far it is very good for 
you. Receive thou this proposal ! Listen to me, and betroth 
that girl to me ! — Euc. But there is nothing of portion, that 
I can give. Meg. You must not give it. As long as she 
may come to me, rightly endowed with morality, she is suf- 
ficiently portioned. — Euc. I say it for that reason that you 
may not think that I have found any treasures. — Meg. I have 
known it; teach me not; contract her to me. — Euc. Let it 
be done. But, O Jupiter ! [Starts and looks about.] Have I 
not perished! — Meg. What is the matter to you? — Euc. 
What sounded just now, as it were iron? — Meg. Here at 
my premises I ordered them to dig the garden. [Exit Euclio, 
hobbling fast into his house.~\ — Meg. [Looking round.] But 
where is the man ? he has gone away, and not made me more 
certain of the matter. He detests me. Because he sees me 
wish for his friendship, he acts after the manner of men; 
where if a rich man goes to ask the kindness of the poorer, 
the poor man fears to have to do with him ; through fear 
he behaves badly. The same man, when the opportunity 
has passed, desires it afterward too late. [Enter Euclio 
from his house, turns round, and speaks to Sta phyla within.] 
— Euc. By Hercules, if I shall not have given you up [shakes 
his stick at her] to have your tongue cut out from the very 
roots, I order and authorise that you put me out to be muti- 
lated. [He turns to Megadorus, and the door is shut.] — Meg. 
I really see, Euclio, that you think me a fit man, whom you 
may make sport of, on account of my old age, and with none 
of my deserving it. — Euc. In truth I neither do so, Mega- 



AULULARIA. It 

dorus, nor if I can desire it, have I the power. — Meg. How 
now ? Do you now betroth your daughter to me ? — Euc. 
With those conditions. With that dowry which I mentioned 
to you. — Meg. Do you betroth her therefore ? — Euc. I do 
betroth her ; may the gods prosper it ! — Meg. So may the 
gods have acted ! — Euc. Cause yourself to remember that 
you agreed upon that, that my daughter should not bring- 
any portion to you. — Meg. I remember it. — Euc, But I know 
in what manner ye of your sort can be used to act captiously. 
Thus an agreement is not an agreement. A compact at this 
time is a compact just as it pleases you. — Meg. I will have 
no disagreement with you. But is there any reason, why 
we may not have the nuptials to-day ? — Euc. Truly the reason 
for them is very good. — Meg. I will go therefore, and pre- 
pare matters. Do you want me as to any thing ? — Euc. 
Only asto that. — Meg. Itshallfe. Farewell! [Megadorus 
goes to the door of his house, and calls out.] Hillo ! Strobilus ! 
follow me hastily and diligently to the meat-market. [Exit 
Megadorus at the back scene.'] — Euc. [solus.] He hath de- 
parted hence. Immortal Gods, I beseech you! what a 
powerful thing is gold ! I do believe this man now has heard, 
that I have a treasure at home. He is gaping after that. 
On that account he has persisted strongly as to this alliance. 
[Euclio goes towards his house.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Euclio stops at the door of his house, opens it, and calls to 
Staph y la within. 

Euc. Where art thou, who have now babbled to all the 
neighbours that I was to give a portion to my daughter ? 
Hillo! Staphyla! you I call. Do you hear me at all? 
Hasten, and wash well the vessels within. I have betrothed 
my daughter to-day. I shall give her into marriage with 
Megadorus. [Enter Staphyla from the house.] — Sta. [Clap- 
ping her hands together.] May the Gods prosper it ! But, my 
stars ! it cannot be. It is too sudden a thing. — Euc. Hold 
your prating, and go away. Make things be properly ready, 
when I shall return home from the Forum. And shut up the 
house. I will be here just now. [Exit Euclio at the back 
scene, hobbling fast.]—Sta. [sola.] What now shall I do ? 



12 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

Ruin is now near us, both to me and my master's daughter; 
for her shame and lying-in are near at hand, so that it must 
become public. What has been hitherto concealed and 
hidden, cannot be so now. I will go indoors, that what my 
master commanded, may be done, when he arrives. But 
truly I fear sad grief to myself, lest I may drink foul liquor 
soon. [Exit Sta phyla into Euclio's house.] 

SCENA QUARTA. 

[Omitted, as silly farce.] 

SCENA QUINTA. 

[Omitted for the same reason."] 

SCENA SEXTA. 

Enter from the back scene Strobilus,Megadorus's servant, 
with men carrying baskets of meat and provisions, followed by 
Anthorax and Congrio, two cooks, and by a minstrel. 

Stro. [Knocking at Euclio's door.] Hillo ! Staphyla! go 
forth, and open the door! — Sta. [within.] Who calls me? — 
Stro. Strobilus. [Staphyla enters from the house.] — Sta. 
What do you want? — Stro. That you may receive these 
cooks, and the flute-player, and the provisions, against the 
nuptials. Megadorus ordered me to send these things to 
Euclio. — Sta. Prithee, Strobilus, are they about to celebrate 
these nuptials to Ceres ? — Stro. How so ? — Sta. Because I 
understand that no strong wine has been brought hither. — 
Stro. But now it shall be brought, if he himself may have 
returned from the Forum. — Sta. There are no billets of wood 
here at our house. — Cook. Are there rafters here? — Sta. 
There are so. — Cook. Those are pieces of wood, therefore ; 
Seek not for them out of doors. — Sta. What, you wretch ? 
Though you wish for fire, is it for the sake of the supper, or 
for the matter of your own hire, that you are asking us to 
burn our own house? — Cook. I do not ask that. — Stro. 
Conduct us inside the house. — Sta. Follow me all of you. 
[Staphyla goes before them into Euclio's house, they follow 
her, and Exeunt omnes.] 



AULULARIA. 13 



SCENA SEPTIMA. 

Enter Pytho dicus from Megadorus's house, 
and speaks to those within. 

Pyth. Mind ye your business. I will go to see what the 
cooks may be doing. [Turns away, and the door is shut.] In 
truth, to watch this day is my principal business. Unless 
I may mind this one thing, it is possible the fellows may 
cook the supper in the dry well, and from thence we shall 
bring it up in baskets, when ready cooked. But if they 
shall devour it down below when they shall have dressed 
any victuals, the upper people are starved, and the lower 
stomachs stuffed. But I am chattering here, as if there 
were no business to attend to, when such a troop of rapa- 
cious robbers can be in the house. [Exit Pythodicus into 
Euclio's house.] 



SCENA OCTAVA. 

Enter Euclio from the back scene, with garlands of flowers in 
his hand, slowly hobbling forwards. 

Euc. I wished at length this day to establish a resolution, 
that I would be in comfort at the marriage of my daughter. 
I come to the market ; I ask for fishes. They tell me that 
they are dear. They tell me that lamb is also dear ; that beef 
is dear ; veal also ; large sea-fish too ; and pork. In short, 
that all things are dear. And though they had been dearer, 
I had no money. I go away in anger from thence, because 
I have nothing wherewithal I can purchase. In this way 
I deceive all these rascals. Then I began to think with 
myself in the streets, thus : " If you may have squandered 
away any thing on a festival day, it may be that you shall 
want on a common day, unless you shall have spared some- 
thing." After I set forth this reasoning to my heart, and 
stomach, my mind acceded to this opinion, and how r , with 
the smallest cash possible, I might give my daughter iri 
marriage. I have now bought a small piece of frankincense, 
and these garlands of flowers. These things shallbeput on the 



14 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

fireplace to our Lar of the family, that he may make the 
nuptials of my daughter fortunate. [He looks at his door, and 
sees it standing open, and starts in surprise.'} But why do I see 
my house open ? [He listens.] And there is a noise within ! 
Am I plundered, wretched man? [Congrio the Cook speaks 
within.] — Cong. Get a larger box, if you can, in the neigh- 
bourhood. This is a small one, and cannot hold it. — Euc. 
[Clapping his hands and lifting up his eyes.] Woe to me ! By 
Hercules I have perished ! My gold is plundered, and a box 
is looked for. I am killed outright, unless I hurry in haste 
to run hither in doors. [Lifts up his hands,] Apollo, I pray, 
assist and help me ! with your arrow strike through the 
thieves of my treasure ! It is I, whom you assisted before in 
such a matter ! But am I delaying now to run, before I have 
totally perished? [Euclio runs into his house.] 

SCENA NONA. 

Enter Anthorax the Cook, and calls to the Scullions. 

Anth. Dromo, scale off the fishes. Do you, Macario, 
split along the back that conger eel, as fast as you can ; 
and make all be roasted, while I am absent. [Three lines 
omitted.] But what is this clamour that is up hard by ? [A 
great noise is heard in Euclio's house.] The cooks certainly, 
I believe, are doing their work ! I will escape inside there, 
[pointing opposite] lest any of the disturbance may be here 
also. [Exit Anthorax hastily into Megadorus's house.] 



ACTUS TERTIUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Congrio the Cook hastily from Euclio's house, claps 
the door after him, and goes to and fro, shrugging his shoulders, 
and rubbing his arms and back in great pain. 

Con. [Loudly roaring.] O ye welcome citizens, neigh- 
bours, inhabitants, borderers, and foreigners, all of ye, 
make way now where I may escape, and make all the streets 
be wide open for me ! I never till this day came to the rag- 



AULULARIA. 15 

ing Bacchanals, and their Bacchanalian place of meeting, 
to dress victuals! and now they have cursedly pounded 
wretched me and my scullions with their clubs and blud- 
geons. [He rubs his arms and sides.] I am in pain all over, 
and actually dead, for that old fellow kept me there at his 
bruising-school. [He looks at Euclio's door.] Ah! sad! 
sad ! I am done for now, miserable as I am ! The Baccha- 
nalian place opens ! here he is ! He is following them up ! 
I know what I will do. [He catches up a stick from the ground.] 
The master himself taught me this. I never saw sticks given 
to me more welcome. [Enter all the other people, Cook's 
Deputies, and Scullions, and Minstrel, rushing from the house, 
driven in by Euclio, with a great stick in his hand.] So he has 
driven all of us out of doors, me and these, with clubs laid on 
their backs. 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Euclio calls out, while Congrio and the rest 
are running off. 
Euc. [To Congrio.] Come back! why are you flying away 
now? Stop! Stop! — Con. [Turning round.] Why do you 
thus cry out, silly old gentleman ? — Euc. Truly I will now 
give in your name to the Triumviri. — Cong. For what 
reason? — Euc. Because you have a knife. — Cong. It is 
right that a cook should have one. — Euc. What, have you 
threaten'd me or not? — Cong. I think it was badly done, 
that I have not dug your side with it. — Euc. There is no 
man that may live to-day, more wicked than you, nor any 
one, whom I may more willingly and purposely have pu- 
nished. — Cong. Now, though you may be silent about it, it is 
plain indeed, and the thing itself testifies the matter, for 
with your clubs wretched I am made softer than any tum- 
bler. But with respect to us, what have we to do with you, 
you old beggar-man? What business have we with you? 
— Euc. Do you ask that now? Is it because I have done 
less, than was due to you? — Cong. Let that alone. Now, 
by Hercules, it shall be with great trouble to you, since this 
hand of mine feels so painful. — Euc. I know not indeed 
what may happen hereafter, I know your skull feels some- 
thing now. But what business had von in my house, I b«*- 



16 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

ing absent, unless I had ordered you? I want to know that. 
Cong. Hold your tongue then. It was because we have to 
cook for the nuptials. — Euc. Why, a curse ! are you to care, 
whether I shall have eaten raw meat or roast meat ? unless 
you are my guardian. — Cong. I wish to know, whether you 
may suffer, or not suffer us, to cook the supper here. — Euc. 
I also wish to know, whether my snoods at my house are to 
be safe from plunder. — Cong. I wish only I may take away 
my goods which I brought here, safe and sound to me. It 
does not trouble me, whether I may covet your things. — 
Euc. I know ; do not teach me ; I have known you. — Cong. 
What is it, on what account now may you hinder us to cook 
the supper here ? What have we done ? What have we said 
to you otherwise than you would wish ? — Euc. Are you 
asking still, thou wicked man, who make all the corners and 
closets of my house a thoroughfare? When you had that 
employment, that you should be at my fireplace, you should 
have had a skull that could not be split. That deed was 
done to you deservedly. Therefore that you may be able to 
know my sentence on you now, if you shall have approached 
to the door, hither at all nearer, until I shall have ordered 
you, I will make you the wretchedest mortal upon earth. 
[He shakes his stick at him.~\ Now do you know my mind ? 
[Congrio steps away.~\ Where are you going off? Come 
back here again. — Cong. So may the Goddess of Thieves 
love me, but unless you order my pots and skillets to be 
returned to me, I will vex you with loud abuse before the 
house. [Exit Euclio into his house.'] What shall I do now ? 
Really and truly I came here with unlucky auspices. I was 
hired for wages of money. [He rubs his bruised head.] There 
is now more need of a surgeon than my wages ! 



SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter Eucuo with a square box under his arm, half hid 
by his cloak. 

Euc. This, indeed and verily, shall be with me, wherever 
I shall go. [He kisses the box.] I will carry this with me now j 
nor will I ever commit it to that place to be in such perils. 
[He turns and speaks to Congrio and the others behind him.] 



AULULARIA, 17 

Go ye now at once in-doors all of you, both cooks and min- 
strels. Introduce also, if you choose, even a whole flock of 
hirelings; cook ye, bustle and hurry now at once, as much 
as it pleases you. — Cong. It is in good season, after you 
have loaded their heads with blows of clubs. — Euc. [Pointing 
to his doo7\~\ Go in-doors you ! Your work has been hired for 
this place, and not an oration. — Cong. Harkye, old Gentle- 
man ! For being beaten, I shall certainly demand from you 
a sum of money. I was hired a short time since to cook, 
and not to be beaten. — Euc. Go to law with me then ! But 
don't be troublesome. Go and cook the supper ! Or else 
go away from the house to the devil ! — Cong. Get you gone, 
you now, to the devil ! [Exewit Cong Rio and his party at 
the back scene. Manet Euclio.] 

SCENA QCJARTA. 

Euc. He has departed hence. [Meditates.] O immortal 
gods, a poor man, who has begun to hold communication 
or business with a rich man, attempts a bold undertaking. 
How Megadorus annoys me in all ways ! who pretended to 
send cooks here for the sake of honour to me, but he sent 
them really with that intention, that they should plunder 
this [puts his hand on his box] from wretched me. Suitably 
also my dunghill-cock within, a favourite of the old woman, 
very nearly destroyed me ; for he began there to scratch 
with his claws, every where round the place, where these 
things were buried. What need is there of words? My 
anger kindled at this. I catch up a club and kill the cock, 
the evident thief. I believe really that the cooks promised 
a reward to that cock, if he should have made a discovery as 
to that treasure. I took away the means out of their hands. 
What need have I of words ? The battle raged about the 
dunghill-cock. [He looks towards the back scene.] But behold 
him, Megadorus my new relation is stepping here from the 
Forum! I cannot venture to pass by him, but I will now 
stay here, and talk with him. [He retires on one side close to 
his door.] 



18 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

SCENA QUINTA. 

Enter Megadorus/tow the back scene, and advances 
to the front. 
Meg. I have mentioned to my friends my intention con- 
cerning this compact. They praise the daughter of Euclio ; 
and that it is done wisely, and with good counsel. For truly 
in my mind, if others may do the same, and that richer men 
may take home as wives the daughters of poorer men with- 
out portion, the State would both be much more united, 
and we should meet much less envy, than we now meet. 
[Lines are omitted down to the third line from the end of the 
scene, as being intolerably dull and unentertaiuing.~] In truth, 
she who is unportioned is in the power of her husband. 
Portioned women destroy their husbands with expense and 
loss. [Turning round, he sees Euclio.] But behold him, my 
new relation, before his house! What do you say, Euclio ? 

SCENA SEXTA. 
Euclio advances to Megadorus,owc? addresses him. 
Euc. Very willingly indeed I have devoured your speech. 
— Meg. Do you say so ? have you heard me ? — Euc . From 
the very beginning I have heard all things. — Meg. However, 
according to my mind indeed you would act somewhat more 
properly, if you may be cleaner in person at the marriage of 
your daughter. — Euc. They who have elegance instead of 
of property, and finery instead of affluence, may recollect 
themselves, from what source they may in future rise. Nor 
truly, Medagorus, to me or any other poor man, is their 
rightly established household betterthan might be estimated. 
- - Meg. Truly yours is established, and may the gods grant 
that it may exist so, and may they prosper that which you 
now have, more and more ! — Euc. [Going aside.] That ex- 
pression does not please me, " which you now have." He 
knows as well as myself, that I have this gold. The old 
woman discovered it to him. — Meg. Why do you separate 
yourself alone thus out of our council? — Euc. In truth I 
was meditating, that I may deservedly accuse you. — Meg. 
What is it? — Euc. Do you ask me what it may be? You 
who have filled all the corners in my house with thieves sent 
to me a miserable man ; You who have sent within my house 



AULULAIUA. 19 

five hundred cooks, each of them with six hands, of the race 
of Geryon; whom if Argus were to keep, who was all eyes, 
and whom Juno once made keeper to Io, he could never 
watch them. Likewise you sent me a flute-player, who alone 
is able, if a fountain burst out with wine, to drink for me the 
Corinthian spring Pirene. But then the provisions. — Meg. 
Truly there is enough even for a legion of soldiers, ' I also 
sent a lamb. — Euc. Than which lamb of yours I know well, 
that there was no where any beast more lean and scraggy. 
— Meg. I wish to know from you, what lamb can be that 
scraggy beast. — Euc. That which is all bones and skin, he 
so wastes away with agony ; besides you may see his bowels 
in the sun, even when alive, he so shines through, as it were 
a Punic lanthorn. — Meg. I brought it for slaughter. — Euc. 
Then it is best that you alike may bargain for it to be carried 
out ; for now I believe it is dead. — Meg. I am willing, 
Euclio, to drink with you to-day. — Euc^ I must not indeed 
and in truth drink to-day. — Meg. But I shall have ordered 
one cask of old wine to be brought from my house. — Euc. I 
do not wish it tiuly ; for it is decreed to me to drink water. 
— Meg. I will make you moistened this day finely, but with 
wine however, given to you, to whom it is decreed to drink 
water. — Euc. [Aside] I know what affair he must be at ; that 
he may overcome me with wine ; now he aims at that mode, 
and afterward that this gold that I have, may change its 
settlement ; — I will guard against that ; for I will thrust it 
away from the house somewhere ; I will have caused that he 
may have lost both his labour and his wine at the same time. 
— Meg. Unless you want me as to any thing, I am going to 
wash, in order that I may perform sacred rites. [Exit Me- 
gadorus into his house.] — Euc. [Solus.] Truly and verily, 
thou, little chest of mine, [takes his box from under his cloak, and 
hugs it to his breast] hast many enemies, and that gold which 
is trusted to you. Now this is the best deed for me, that I 
may carry off thee, my good Box, into the temple of Fides. 
There will I hide it carefully. Thou hast known me, O God- 
dess Fides, and I thee. Take care to yourself that you may 
not have changed your name towards me, if I trust this to 
you. I will now go to thee, O Fides, relying on thy good 
faith. [Exit Euclio with his box of gold, at the side scene, hav- 
ing covered the box with his cloak.] 



20 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

ACTUS QUARTUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter from the back scene Strobilus, Lyconides's servant, 
and advances to the front. 

Stro. This is the business of an honest servant, to do what 
I am now intent upon. Nor let the command of a master have 
to itself any thing of delay or troublesomeness. For what- 
ever servant desires to serve his master rightly, it behoves 
him to do things for his master early and soon, but for him- 
self late. Now if he may doze, let him doze so, that he may 
still think himself a servant employed. In truth he who 
gives his servitude to a master that is in love, as I now serve, 
if he perceives love to overcome his master, I think that it 
is the duty of a servant to restrain him for his good, not to 
drive him into that, to which he may incline. [Eight lines 
omitted.'] Now my master loves the daughter of this poor 
man Euclio. It was just now told to my master, that she 
was given in marriage to this Megadorus. He sent me 
hither therefore to spy out, in order that he may know the 
things that might be done. Now, without any suspicion, 
I will sit down here by the sacred altar. Hence I shall be 
able, both here and there, to judge what they may be about. 
[He sits down at the side scene close by the altar.'] 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Euclio at the side scene, where he had before gone oat 
towards the temple of Fides. He turns round, and looks 
towards the temple he had quitted. 

Euc. [Clapping his hands together.] O my Goddess Fides! 
do thou take care, how you shall have told anyone, that my 
gold is there. [He turns away.] I do not fear lest any one 
may find it, it is so well fixed in a hiding-place. Verily and 
truly, if any one shall have found that box loaded with gold, 
he can have a noble plunder ! [He turns and stretches his hands 
towardsjhe temple.] But I beseech thee, O Fides, that thou 
wilt have hindered that ! — I will now wash me, that I may 



AULULARIA. 21 

do sacred rites, and lest I may delay my relation, and that 
when he may call on me, he may at once lead my daughter 
home. [Stretches out his hands to the temple again.] Over 
and over again now watch, O Fides, that I may carry away 
my box safe from you again ! To thy trust I have confided 
my gold. In thy grove and temple it is now placed. [Euclio 
comes up the stage and exit into his own house.] — Stro. [Coming 
forth from the altar.] What a great deed, O immortal gods, 
do I hear this man speak of! that he has hid a box loaded 
with gold here within the temple ! O Fides, beware how you 
may be more faithful to him, I entreat you, than to me ! And 
this chap, I think, is the father of her, whom my master 
loves. I will go hence within, and search the temple, if I 
can find the gold any where, while this old gentleman is 
employed. But if I shall have found it, O beloved Fides, I 
will make for you a gallon-jug chuck full of nice honeyed 
wine. I will certainly make it for you ; but when I shall 
have done that, faith I will drink it myself. [Exit Strobi- 
lus at the side scene towards the temple.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 
Enter Euclio from his house in great agitation. 

Euc. It is not for nothing, that a raven is croaking on 
the left hand side. He scraped the ground once with his feet, 
and was then croaking with his voice. Immediately my 
heart began to dance about, and to jump into my breast. 
But I am delaying to run here. [He hobbles fast towards the 
side scene, making for the temple, and exit.] 



SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter Euclio at the side scene where he went out, dragging 
Strobilus with one hand, and beating him with his stick 
with the other. 

Euc. Get out! Get out! you earthworm, who crept just 
now under the earth, and appeared there awhile ago ! Now, 
when you do appear, by Apollo, I will have you in a wretched 
plight, you vile juggler you ! — Stro. [Getting loose from him.] 
What curst evil agitates you? What dealing have you with 

E 



22 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

me, old fellow? Why do you pester me? Why do you drag 
me ? for what cause do you flog me ? — Euc. Thou fellow, 
most worthy of flogging, do you even ask me that ? You are 
not only a thief, but a triple thief. — Stro. What have I stole 
from you? — Euc. [Flogging him.] Give it back here. — Stro. 
What do you want I may give back to you? — Euc. Do you 
ask ? — Stro. Indeed I took nothing from you. — Euc. But 
give me that which you had taken from me. — Stro. Aha! 
what are you at? — Euc. What may I be at ? You can't carry 
it off now. — Stro. What do you want for yourself ? — Euc. 
[Lifting up his stick.'] Put it down now. — Stro. I believe 
really and truly, old Gentleman, that you are used to give to 
others. — Euc. Lay down this now ! away with your scoffing, 
I do not trifle now. — Stro. What shall I lay down ? why 
do you not speak it out now, whatever it is, by its own 
name? Truly and indeed I have not taken, nor touched any 
thing. — Euc. Shew your hands here. — Stro. [Hides his hands.] 
Ah ! ha! you now ! — Euc. Shew them, I say. — Stro. [Hold- 
ing out his hands.] Look at them. — Euc. I see them; But come 
now, shew me your third hand also. — Stro. [Turning away 
and stamping.] Ghosts, and furies, and insanities agitate this 
old man! are you giving me ill usage or not ? — Euc. I allow it ; 
the greatest, because you won't mind the thing, and it shall 
be also now, unless you confess. — Stro. What may I confess 
to you? — Euc. What have you carried off hence? — Stro. 
May the gods destroy me, if I have taken away any thing 
of yours ! — Euc. But I would not wish you took it therefore ! 
come now, shake out your cloak. — Stro. For your judgment? 
— Euc. Lest you may have it between your waistcoats. — 
Stro. Try where it pleases you. — Euc. Aha ! how kindly the 
rogue talks, that I may think he has not taken it away ! I 
have known your tricks! come again, shew me your right 
hand here. — Stro, [Shewing his hand.] Well there ! — Euc. Now 
shew your left hand. — Stro. [Stretching out both hands.] Why! 
now I hold forth both to you. — Euc. I now omit to search you. 
But give it me back here. — Stro. What shall I give back ? 
— Euc. Ah, you are trifling ; you certainly have it. — Stro, 
Have I? what have I ? — Euc. I do not say. You are wishing 
to hear. Give back that of mine, whatsoever you have. — Stro, 
You are mad ! you have examined at your own pleasure, nor 
have you found any thing of yours about me. [He is struggling 



AULULARIA. 23 

away.] Euc. Stop ! stop ! who was that other, that was 
within here along with you ? [Aside.] By Hercules, I am 
undone ! That fellow within now troubles me ! If I let go 
this one, he will have marched off. Lastly, I have now ex- 
amined this man, and he has nothing. [Turns round to 
Strobilus, as he is holding him by the arm, with uplifted 
stick.] Begone thou, where it pleases you ! \_Lets him go.] 
May Jupiter and the gods destroy you ! — Stro. Finely he 
gives his thanks to me. — Euc. I will go hence within there, 
and will immediately throttle that accomplice of yours. 
Fly hence thou from my sight ! [.A pause, and he stamps with 
his foot.] Do you go hence or not ? — Stro. [Seeming to go.] 
I am going away. — Euc. [Shaking his stick at him.] Take 
care that I may not see you ever again. [Exit Euclio at the 
side scene towards the temple. — Manet Strobilus.] 

SCENA QUINTA. 
Storbilus solus. 

Stro. I would rather that I died with a painful death, than 
that I may not lay snares to-day for that old fellow ! Cer- 
tainly he will not dare to hide the gold here any more. I 
believe he will bring it back with him now immediately, 
and change the place of hiding. [He looks out at the side 
scene.] Ah ! ha ! there *s a noise from the doors of the 
temple ! Behold him, the old man is bringing the gold out 
of doors ! For a while I shall have stepped aside here near 
the temple gate. [Exit Strobilus, hastily, at an adjacent 
side scene.] 

SCENA SEXTA. 

Enter Euclio, with his box under his arm, half covered 
with his cloak. 

Euc. I used to think that the very greatest dependence 
was to be placed on the goddess Fides. She has very nearly 
deceived me. Unless the raven might have come to my as- 
sistance, I should have wretched perished. I can much wish 
in truth as to that raven, who made the discovery, that he 
may come to me ; and that I may tell him of something good 



24 M. Accn PLAUTI 

for him ; for I may as well give him his victuals, as lose it 
all. [He uncovers his box, and looks at it.] Now I am think- 
ing of a lonely place, where I may hide this gold. The 
grove of Sylvanus outside the wall is unfrequented, and tilled 
with many a willow. There will I get a place for it. I am 
determined, that I may better trust to Sylvanus than Fides. 
[Exit Euclio at the back scene, having carefully covered the 
box under his arm with his cloak.'] 

Enter Strobilus at the side scene, where he had gone out. 

Stro. Well done ! well done ! The gods wish me safe and 
preserved. Now will I run before to that place, and get up 
into some tree, and observe from thence where the old gen- 
tleman may hide his gold. Although my master had ordered 
me to wait for him here, I am resolved, that I will rather 
seek for ill-usage, when attended thus with emolument and 
lucre. [Exit Strobilus at the back scene in haste after the 
old man.] 

SCENA SEPTIMA. 

Enter Eunomia and her son Lyconides/towi 
Megadorus's house. 

Lye. I have told you the affair, my mother. You nearly 
understand with me the business in regard to Euclio's 
daughter. Now I beseech you, make mention of the matter 
to my uncle, and I beseech again, mother, as to that which 
I had lately entreated of you to accomplish. — Eun. You 
yourself know, that I wish those things should be done, 
which you may be inclined to ; and I trust that I shall ob- 
tain that from my brother ; and the reason is proper, if indeed 
it is so as you declare, that you violated that virgin, when 
you were overcome with the effects of wine. — Lye. Can I 
possibly tell a falsity before you, O my mother? — [Ph^edria 
cries out in labour, in Euclio's house.] Ehad. JunoLucina! 
I call on thy protection, Juno Lucina, oh ! — Lye. I find a 
better reason, O my mother, for she is crying out, and in 
labour. — Eun. Go this way in-doors, my son, to my brother^ 
that I may effect for you that which you now entreat of me ; 
and that I may have that which you beg of me, obtained 



AULULAKIA. 25 

from him. — Lye. Go on, I immediately now follow you, 
mother. [Exit EimoMiA into Megadorus's house.'] But 
now as to my servant Strobilus, I wonder where he can be, 
whom I had ordered to wait for me here. I now think with 
myself, if he attends to me in reality, it is wrong that I 
should be angry with him. I will go in-doors, since these 
meetings are about my life and existence. [Exit Lyconides 
into Megadorus's house.] 



SCENA OCTAVA. 

Enter Strobilus with Euclio's box of gold under his arm. 

Stro. [solus.] I alone exceed in the riches of Picus, those 
who inhabit mountains of gold. Now I am unwilling to 
mention those other kings, beggarly fellows. [He struts 
about.] I am that rich king Philip. O beautiful day for 
me ! For as I departed hence just now, I got to that place 
long before him, and fixed myself up in a tree long before 
he came, and from thence spied out where the old fellow 
was hiding his gold. When he departed, I get myself down 
from the tree, and dig up the box full of gold. Thence from 
that place I observe the old man take himself off. He does 
not observe me, for I now took myself aside a little, outside 
the pathway. [He looks at the back scene.] Ah, ha ! behold the 
man himself! I will go home, that I may hide this gold. 
[Exit Strobilus hastily, at a side scene.] 

SCENA NONA. 

Enter Euclio bareheaded, tearing his hair, and stamping, 
and wringing his hands. 

Euc. [Speaking loudly and rapidly.] I have perished ! I 
am done for! I am dead ! Where shall I run? Where shall 
I not run? Stop! stop! [running to the side scetie.] Whom 
have I here? Who is there? I know not ! I see nothing! 
I walk blind! and where I may go, or where I may be, or 
who I may be, I cannot in my mind find out for certain ! 
[Stands at the side scene, addressing a supposed crowd outside.] 
I beseech you all, help me, I pray and beg ! and shew me 



26 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

the man who can have taken it away! [Four lines omitted.] 
Alas ! wretched me ! wretched me ! I have perished, unhap- 
pily destroyed ! I am in sad plight, so much of groaning 
and mournful grief has this day brought to me, and hunger, 
and poverty! [Claps his hands.] I am the most wretched 
of all men on the earth ! For what need have I of life, who 
have lost so much gold? which I guarded diligently and 
carefully. I myself defrauded myself and my inclination, 
and my disposition ! now others rejoice in that my misfor- 
tune and loss. I cannot bear it ! [He tears his hair, and at 
length claps his hand to his forehead, and remains silent, standing 
near his own door.] 

Enter Lycon ides from the house of Meg a dor us. 

Lye. What man howling and grieving, complains here be- 
'fore our house? [Sees Euclio.] This is certainly Euclio. 
I think 'tis he. [Lowers his voice.] I am utterly lost ! the 
matter is all abroad ! he knows now, as I imagine, that his 
daughter has lain in. It is uncertain to me now, what I shall 
do. Must I go away, or remain here ? Whether may I go 
up to him or run aw r ay? I do not know in truth, what I 
shall do ! 

SCENA DECIMA. 

Luc. [Looking up.] What man is speaking here ? — Lye. I 
am here. — Euc. Truly I am wretched, and miserably lost, 
who have misfortunes so great, and to whom so much sorrow 
has happened. — Lye. Be of good courage ! — Euc. By what 
means prithee, can I be so? — Lye. Because as to that deed 
that troubles your mind, I have done it, and now confess it. 
— Euc. [Starti?ig in surprise.] What do I hear from you? — 
Lye. That which is true. — Euc. What of evil, young man, 
have I deserved, wherefore you should do so, and should 
go to destroy me and my children? — Lye. The god im- 
pelled me, he enticed me to her. — Euc. How ? — Lye. I con- 
fess that I have done wrong, and know that I have deserved 
blame. Therefore I come as to that to supplicate you, that 
with a gentle and kind mind you may pardon me. — Euc. 
W T hy have you dared to do that deed, that you should touch 
that, which could not be yours ? — Lye. What do you wish 



AULULAR1A. 27 

to be done ? That thing has been done, and it cannot become 
undone. I believei;hat the gods willed it ; for unless they 
might be willing, it could not happen, I know. — Euc. But 
I believe that the gods were willing, that I must have tor- 
ture 'in the pillory through you. — Lye. You cannot have 
said that. — Eric. Why therefore do you touch mine, I being 
unwilling? — Eye. Because I did so from the fault of wine 
and love. — Euc. Thou most audacious man ! that you should 
have dared to come hither to me, with that speech, thou 
shameless man ! for if that is law, so as you may be able to 
excuse the matter, we may plunder gold from matron women 
openly in the clear day-light, and after that exploit, we may 
make an excuse, if we are caught, that we were drunk, and 
did it for the sake of love. Wine is a most execrable thing, 
and also love, if it is lawful for a drunken man, and one in 
love, to do what may please him without punishment. — 
Lye. But I came to you of my own accord to supplicate 
you on account of my folly. — Euc. Those men do not please 
me, who, when they have done a bad deed, clear it away. 
You knew that it was not yours. It was proper that it 
should be untouched. — Lye. Therefore because I have dared 
to touch what belonged to you, I plead no otherwise, but 
that I may most properly have it. — Euc. May you have mine, 
I being unwilling ? — Lye. I do not ask this, you being un- 
willing ; but I think that it is right, she should be mine. 
But as to her, you will find it right, Euclio, I say, that that 
property of yours should be mine. — Euc. [Shaking his fist at 

him.] Unless you bring it back — Lye. What shall I 

bring back to you ? — Euc. That of mine which you stole 
away. Now by Hercules, verily I will drag you to the Praetor, 
and bring an action at law against you. — Lye. Do I steal 
away any thing of thine ? whence, or what is it? — Euc. So 
shall Jupiter love me, what ! are you ignorant? — Lye. Un- 
less indeed you shall have told me, what you can be inquir- 
ing about. — Euc. I say I am asking back from you a box of 
gold which you confessed to me that you took away. — Lye. 
In truth I never said it, nor have I done it. — Euc. Do you 
deny it? — Lye. I deny it plump ; for neither do I know that 
gold, nor what that box may be, nor have I known it. — Euc. 
[Eagerly and fiercely.] Give me that box, which you had 
taken out of the grove of Sylvanus ! Go and bring it back ; 



28 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

I will divide with you a half-share, and better. Although 
you are a thief to me, I will not be troublesome. Go then, 
and bring it back. — Lye. You are not in your senses, who 
can call me a thief: I thought, Euclio, that you had dis- 
covered about another affair. It is what appertains to me, 
it is an affair of consequence, which I am desirous to speak 
of with you leisurely, if you have now leisure. — Euc. Tell 
me now with good conscience ; you have not then plundered 
that gold? — Lye. I do say it with a good conscience. — Euc. 
You do not know who may have taken it away? — Lye. I say 
that also with good conscience. — Luc. And you will tell me, 
if you shall know it, who may have carried it off? — Lye. I 
will do it. — Luc. Nor will you ask for a share to yourself 
thence from him, whoever he is ? Nor will you receive the 
thief? — Lye. Just so. — Luc. What if you deceive me? — 
Lye. Then may great Jupiter do to me what he chooses ! — 
Luc. I am satisfied. Come on now, say what you wish. — 
Lye. Perhaps you have not known me, from what family I 
may be born. This Megadorus is my uncle. Antimachus 
was my father. I am called Lyconides. Eunomia is my 
mother. — Euc. I have known your family. Now what do 
you want? I am willing to know that. — Lye. You have a 
daughter of yours. — Euc. Yes, lo she is at home. — Lye. 
You have betrothed her, I think, to my uncle. — Euc. You 
have the whole affair. — Lye. He hath ordered me now to an- 
nounce to you his rejection of her. — Euc. [In surprise.'] Re- 
jection ! matters being prepared, and the nuptials being at 
hand! [Clapping his hands.~\ that all the immortal gods and 
goddesses may destroy him as much as can be ! on whose 
account this day I lost so much gold, unhappy and wretched 
as I am ! — Lye. Be of good courage, and speak well of him. 
Now may the affair turn out well and happily to yourself 
and your daughter! So may the gods have done it! say 
thou ! — Euc. So may the gods bring to pass ! — Lye. And 
may the gods do so to me ! Hear me now at once. The 
man who now confesses his fault before you, is not so worth- 
less, but it must shame him, but he must clear himself. Now 
I beseech you, Euclio, if I have imprudent done wrong 
towards you and your daughter, that you may pardon me, 
and give her to me as a wife, as the laws direct. I confess 
that I did a wrong to your daughter, in the festivals of Ceres, 



AULULAIUA. 29 

through wine, and with the impulse of youth. — Euc. [Striking 
his hands together.'] Alas me ! what dreadful deed do I hear 
from you! — Lye. Why do you cry out thus? Thou whom I 
have caused to be a grandfather at the nuptials of your 
daughter ; for your daughter has lain in, on the tenth month 
after the affair. Understand then the number of months. 
On that account my uncle sent a rejection of your daughter 
for my sake. Go thou within doors, and find out whether 
it be so, as I declare to you. — Euc. I have perished utterly! 
so very many misfortunes join themselves to calamity against 
me. I will go in-doors, that I may know, what of all this 
may be true. — Eye. I follow you just now. [Exit Euclio 
into his house.'] — Eye. [solus.] This affair seems now to be 
nearly in the haven of safety. I do not now know, where I may 
say, that Strobilus, this servant of mine, is. But still I will 
wait here a little while notwithstanding, and afterward will 
follow this old man within doors — [meditates] but now in the 
mean time I will give him the opportunity of finding out 
my deed from the old woman, the nurse-tender of his daughter, 
for that old woman knew the affair. [Exit Lyconides at the 
side scene.] 



ACTUS QUINTUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Strobilus from the back scene, and advances 
to the front. 

Stro. O ye immortal gods ! with what and how great joys 
ye reward me ! I have a box loaded with gold, weighing 
four pounds. Who is richer than me? What man is there 
at Athens, even any one now, to whom the gods can be pro- 
pitious, more than to me? [Enter Lyconides at the back 
scene at a distance.] — Lye. I certainly seemed just now to 
hear the voice of some one talking here. — Stro. [Looking 
back.] Aha ! do I see my master ? — Lye. Do I see here this 
servant of mine, Strobilus ? — Stro. It is he himself. — Lye. 
[At a distance.] He is no other. — Stro. [In front.] I will 
accost him now. — Lye. I will advance to him. I believe 
that he went to that old woman, the nurse of this girl, as I 



30 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

ordered him. — Stro. [Aside,] Now am I to tell him that I 
found this prize, and am I to speak it out? For that reason 
I will beg of him to make me free. I will go then, and tell 
him the matter out at once. [Lyconides advances, and 
Strobilus meets him.] Master, I have found — [hesitates.] 
— Lye. What have you found ? — Stro. Not what children 
cry out that they have found within the bean. — Lye. But 
are you now playing upon me, as you are used to do? [He 
turns away.] — Stro. Stay, Master, I will tell out the matter. 
Listen now. — Lye. Come on then, speak. — Stro. I have 
found to-day, Master, very great riches. — Lye. "Where? — 
Stro. I say, a box of four pounds weight, full of gold. — Lye. 
What bold deed do I hear from you? — Stro. I have stolen 
it from this old man, Euclio. — Lye. Where is that gold? — 
Stro. In a chest in my house. And now I wish that I may 
be made free. — Lye. Shall I make thee free, thou most 
monstrous of rogues ? — Stro. Out with you, Master ! I know 
what thing you may be at. Cleverly indeed I have tried 
your inclination. You were preparing but now to gripe it 
from me. What would you do, if I might really have found 
it? — Lye. You cannot have made bad things good. Go, 
and give back the gold. — Stro. Shall I give back the gold? 
— Lye. Give it back, I say, that it may be restored to him. 
— Stro. Aha! whence shall I get it? — Lye. That which you 
just now confessed to be in your chest. — Stro. I am used to 
chatter foolish things, and so I speak now. — Lye. But do 
you know how you shall be ? — Stro. Now truly torture me 
to death, but you shall never carry it hence from me ; that 
is, the four-pound box of the old man, which I have not. — 
Lye. I will carry it away, whether you will or not ; when I 
shall have tied you all-fours, I will bear it off. But why do 
I delay to rush on the throat of this villain ? and why do I 
not drive his soul instantly to make a journey before its 
season ? Do you give it, or not? [Seizes him by the collar.] — 
Stro. [Frightened and trembling.] I will give it. — Lye. I wish 
you to give it as now, not at a distant time, — Stro. I give it 
now, but suffer me to recover my breath, I ask you. [Ly- 
conides lets him go.] Aha ! what do you require that I may 
give, Master ? — Lye. Don't you know, villain? And do you 
dare to deny to me the four-pound box full of gold, which 
you just now said that you had snatched away? [He calls 



AULULARIA. 31 

out.] Hillo there ! where are now our flogging jailers ?— 
Stro. [Kneeling.] Master, hear a few words ! — Lye. I do not 
hear. [Calling loudly.] Jailers ! Hillo ! Hillo ! 



SCENA SECUNDA. 
Enter two flogging Jailers from Megadorus's house. 

Jail. What is the matter ? — Lye. I wish that fetters be 
got ready. — Stro. [Holding up Ms hands in supplication.] Hear 
me, I beseech you; and afterward, you shall have ordered 
them to bind me, as much as it pleases you. — Lye. I hear 
you ; but hasten the matter very quickly. — Stro. If you 
shall have ordered me to be tormented to death, see what 
advantage you may obtain. You have the death of your 
slave. Afterward what you will wish for, you cannot get. 
But if you had captivated me before now with a reward of 
sweet liberty, already you would have enjoyed your wishes. 
Nature produces all men free ; and all men by nature are 
anxious for liberty. Slavery is worse than every evil, than 
every worst calamity ; and whom Jupiter hates, he makes 
him first a slave. — Lye. You do not speak foolishly now. — 
Stro. Hear the remainder now at once. [Seven lines omitted.] 
Masters use their slaves injuriously, and slaves now obey 
their masters badly. Thus, what would have been proper 
to be done, is done on the part of neither. Their provisions, 
and victuals, and store-cellars, stingy old men shut up with 
a thousand keys, which things they are scarcely willing 
should be given, even to their legitimate children. Slaves 
who are given to thievery, double-dealers, and cunning 
rogues, open for themselves things shut up with a thousand 
keys, and snatch by plunder, and consume eatables, and 
swallow dainties, never about to tell their thefts even with 
the utmost punishment. Thus too bad slaves avenge their 
slavery by laughter and jokes ; and so therefore conclude, 
that freedom from slavery makes servants faithful. — Lye. 
You have spoke indeed rightly, but not in a few words, as 
you promised me ; but if I make you free, you will give up 
what I am desirous of? — Stro. I will give it up ; but I wish 
that witnesses may be present. You will pardon me, Master, 
when I say, I little trust to you. — Lye. As it pleases you ; 



32 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

let even a hundred be present ; I now do not regard that. — 
Stro. [Going to Megadorus's door, and calling aloud.'] I 
pray you, Megadorus, and thou Eunomia, appear here, and 
go out of doors, if it pleases you ! The affair being perfected, 
you will presently return. 



SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter Megadorus and EuNOMiAyVom their house. 

Meg. [Looking round.] Who calls us out here ? Hah ! 
Lyconides ! are you there ? — Bun. Why! Strobilus, what is 
the matter? speak ye! — Lye. It is a short matter. — Meg. 
What is it? — Stro. I call you both as witnesses. If I bring 
hither a four-pound-weight box full of gold, and deliver it 
to Lyconides, he makes me free, and orders me to be in my 
own power; [to Lyconides] do you promise so? — Lye. I 
promise it. — Stro. Have ye now heard what he has said ? — 
Meg. We have heard it. — Stro. Swear also by Jupiter ! — 
Lye. Aha ! how reduced I am by the bad fortune of another 
man! You are too insolent! [To Megadorus.] What he 
desires, I will nevertheless do. — Stro. Harkye, now, sir ; 
Your age is not much to be trusted. [Three lines omitted.] — 
Lye. [To Strobilus.] Now expedite the affair as to me 
quickly. — Stro. Take that stone to you ! — Lye. [Taking up 
a stone.] If I, knowing it, shall deceive thee, may Jupiter so 
cast me out from property, the safe city and citadel, as I 
cast out this stone ! [he throws the stone azcay~] have I done 
enough for you now? — Stro. It is enough. I go to bring 
the gold. — Lye. Go with the pace of a Pegasus, and return, 
greedily gobbling up the way ! [Exit Strobilus hastily at 
the back scene.] 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Lye. To a well-conducted man, a very impertinent slave 
who wishes to be wiser than his master, is an inconvenient 
matter. May this Strobilus, when free, go to the gallows, 
only let him bring the box heavy with pure gold, that I may 
deliver my father-in-law Euclio from his great affliction, to 
festivity ; and that I may conciliate to myself his daughter, 



AULULARIA. 33 

who is newly brought to bed of a child to me. [He looks at 
the back scene.] But behold Strobilus is returning loaded, 
and I suppose brings the box. [He looks attentively.] Now 
certainly it is the box, that he is bearing. 



SCENA QUINTA. 

Enter STROBiLusyrom the back scene, with the box 
of gold under his arm. 

Stro. I bring, Lyconides, that which was found, and pro- 
mised to you, a box of gold weighing four pounds. Have I 
been slow as to this ? — Lye. Well then ! [Takes the box from 
Strobilus and opens it.] O ye immortal gods ! what do I 
see ! or what have I here ? [He takes bags of gold out of the 
box, and puts them back again.] I have six hundred Philip- 
pian pieces and more, of three or four minse each. But let 
us call out Euclio immediately 

SCENA SEXTA. 

Lyconides goes to the door o/*Euclio's house, 
and calls aloud. 

Lye. What ho! Euclio! Euclio! — Meg. [Calling out.] 
Euclio! Euclio! — [Euclio opens the window over his door, 
and puts his head out.] Luc. What is the matter? — Lye. 
Come down to us, for the gods are willing that you may be 
preserved. We have the box. — Luc. Have ye it, or are ye 
playing on me ? — Lye. We have it, I say; and now, if you can, 
fly hither. — [Euclio quits the window and comes downtothem.] 
— Luc. [Clapping his hands together.] O great Jupiter ! O Lar 
of my family, and queen Juno, and my money-bearer Alcides, 
at length ye have pitied a wretched old man ! [Takes the box 
from Lyconides.] Oh! oh! with arms how joyful do I, an 
old man loving thee, my box, [kisses it] embrace thee now, and 
receive thee with a sweet kiss ! [Kisses it again and again.] I 
cannot be satisfied even with a thousand embraces ! [Hugs the 
box in his arms.] O thou my hope ! O thou the heart of my 
soul! dissipating all my grief ! — Lye. [To Megadorus.] 
I always thought that to want gold was the worst thing 



34 M. ACCII PLAUTI AULULARIA. 

possible, both for very young men, and settled men, and a\ 
old men. But it is a much worse thing, as I see now, for 
us to be rich with gold beyond what is actually necessary. 
Alas ! how great miseries has Euclio suffered on account of 
this box lost by him a short time ago ! — Euc. To whom shall 
I return deserved thanks ? whether to the gods who re- 
gard good men, or to my friends, these upright men, or to 
each of them? I think it better to each of them. And 
first, speaking to you, Lyconides, the beginning and au- 
thor of so great good, I present you, my friend, with this 
box of gold. Receive it from me with satisfaction ! I 
wish this to be yours, and my daughter's at the same time, 
Megadorus being present, and his excellent sister Euno- 
mia. — Lye. [Receiving the box held out to him by Euclio.] 
The favour is both properly estimated, and returned to 
you with gratitude as you have deserved, and Euclio is 
my wished-for father-in-law. — Euc. I shall think the favour 
sufficiently returned to me, if you can receive within your 
house now with satisfaction, my gift and myself also. — Lye. 
[Shaking him by the hand.] I do receive you, and wish that 
my house may be also Euclio's. — Stro. [Coming up to his 
master.~] As to what remains now, master, remember that I 
must be free. — Lye. You have rightly advised me. [Stro- 
bilus kneels to his master, who touches his shoulder, ,] Be thou 
free, Strobilus, with thy own good deserving ! [ife rises 
from his humble posture.] And now prepare for us within a 
speedy supper. — Stro. [Addressing the audience.] O ye spec- 
tators, the covetous Euclio has changed his nature. He 
has suddenly become bountiful. So practice ye also boun- 
tifulness, and if the story has pleased you well, loudly clap 
your hands ! 



END OF THE AULULARIA. 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 
E P I D I C U S. 



CHARACTERS IN THE COMEDY. 



Periphanes, an old Gentleman. 
Stratippocles, his son by his wife. 

Acropolistis, his natural daughter, by the harlot Philippa. 
Philippa, a harlot, mother of Acropolistis. 
Ap,ecides, an old Gentleman, friend of Periphanes. 
Epidicus, a servant of Periphanes, tricking and deceitful. 
Ch^ribulus, a friend and companion of Stratippocles. 
Thesprio, a servant of Stratippocles. 
Two Music-girls. 
A Military Officer. 

Danista, a Money-lender, who lent a sum of money to Stra- 
tippocles, to purchase a girl, who was a Captive. 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 

EPIDICUS. 



Scene. — A street. A house belonging to Ap^cides and 
Periphanes,cw one side, and CHiERiBULUs's house on the 
other, with their doors opposite. 



ACTUS PRIMUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Thesprio at the back scene, and advances; Epidicus 
follows him, and pulls the end of his cloak behind. 

Epid. Hark ye, young man ! — Thes. [Not looking about.] 
Who pulls me by the cloak when in haste? — Epid. An inti- 
mate. — Thes. I believe so, that is, you are very intimate with 
your spite. [Hastens on.] — Epid. Look back now, Thesprio ! — 
Thes. [Turning round.] Oh ! do I see Epidicus? — Epid. You 
certainly have the use of your eyes ! — Thes. Health to you ! — 
Epid. May the gods give you what you can wish ! I rejoice 
that you arrive safe. — Thes. What else? — Epid. What is 
customary in that case, a supper shall be given you. — Thes. 

I engage Epid. What do you engage? — Thes. That I 

will receive it, if you will give it. — Epid. How are you now ? 
are you doing pleasantly? — Thes. The specimen is here! 
[Struts along.] — Epid. I understand. Well done! You 
seem more corpulent and portly. — Thes. [Pointing to his right 
hand.] Thanks be to this \~Epid. Which indeed it behoved 
you to have lost long ago. — Thes. I am now less thievish 
than formerly. — Epid. Why so ? — Thes. I plunder now 
openly. — Epid. May the immortal gods curse you, how 
greatly you get on ! for as I saw you at the port, I began to 



38 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

follow at a gallop, but there was scarcely the power of over- 
taking you just now. — Thes. You are a scoffer ! — Epid. I 
know indeed that you are a military man. — Thes. Speak out 
boldly, however. — Epid. What do you say now, have you 
been continually well? — Thes. As to my life, variegated. — 
Epid. Of those who live variegated, neither the goat kind, 
nor the panther kind pleases me. — Thes. What are you 
willing I may tell you, unless what is the reality? — Epid. 
That you may answer those things rightly. How is my 
master's son? is he well? — Thes. Stout and strong. — Epid. 
You have brought here a pleasant messenger to me by your 
arrival; but where is he? — Thes. I came here together with 
him. — Epid. Where is he therefore, unless if you brought him 
in your bag, or in your knapsack? — Thes. May the gods de- 
stroy you ! — Epid. I want to ask questions ; give me attention, 
and attention shall be given you in return. — Thes. You say 
what is right. — Epid. It becomes me to do so. — Thes. But 
do you now hold the prsetorship over us? — Epid. What other 
man will you say that there is this day in Athens more 
worthy of it? — Thes. But one thing is wanting, Epidicus, 
from your praetorship. — Epid. What is that? — Thes. You 
shall know. Two lictors and two rod-bundles of twigs. — Epid. 
[Shaking his Jist at him.~\ Ah ! woe to you now ! But what 
do you say? — Thes. What are you asking? — Epid. Where 
are Stratippocles' arms? — Thes. In truth they fled across to 
the enemy. — Epid. His arms? — Thes. And quickly indeed. 
— Epid. Do you say these things seriously? — Thes. Seriously 
I say, the enemies have them. [Eight lines omitted.'] Leave 
off inquiring now. — Epid. Say where is Stratippocles him- 
self. — Thes. There is a reason, for which he feared to come 
here along with me. — Epid. What is it? — Thes. He is not 
willing that he should see his father as yet. — Epid. On what 
account? — Thes. You shall know. It is because he bought 
a captive girl, of an elegant and genteel form, out of the 
plunder. — Epid. [In surprise.] What do I hear from you ? — 
Thes. That which I am telling. — Epid. Why has he bought 
her? — Thes. To please his fancy. — Epid. How many fancies has 
that man? for certainly before he went away hence from home 
to the legion, he himself gave orders to me, that a Music- 
girl, whom he loved, should be bought for him from a pimp. 
I have obtained that article for him. — Thes. In whatever way 



EPIDICUS. 39 

the wind is upon the sea, from that point the sail is set. — 
Epid. [Clapping his^hand to his forehead.] Woe to wretched 
me ! he has sadly ruined me ! — Thes. What is that? what is 
it? — Epid. What now? As to her whom he bought, how 
much has he bought her for ? — Thes. A cheap price. — 
Epid. I do not ask you that. — Thes. What therefore? — 
Epid. For how many pounds? — Thes. [Whispers him.'] So 
many indeed.— Epid. \[In surprise.] For forty pounds? — 
Thes. He took up that money therefore at usury, from Da- 
nista, at Thebes, with a sum to be paid for each day, and for 
every pound of the money. — Epid. Heigh-day ! — Thes. And 
that Danista has come along with him, asking for the money. 
— Epid. [Clapping his hands.] O immortal gods ! how I am 
destroyed utterly ! — Thes. What now, or what is it, Epidicus ? 
— Epid. He has destroyed me. — Thes. Who has? — Epid. 
He who lost his arms. — Thes. And why thus? — Epid. Be- 
cause he himself sent letters to me daily from the legion — 
[turns away] but it is best that I may hold my peace. It 
is better that a serving man may know more than he speaks. 
That is wisdom.— Thes. I know not in truth, why you are 
frightened. You tremble, Epidicus ; I see your very face in 
that way. You seem to have incurred some punishment 
against you here, I being absent. — Epid. Is it possible, you 
can't be disagreeable? — Thes. [Turning away.] I am oft. — 
Epid. [Holding him back by the cloak.] Stop there ! I won't 
allow you to be off. — Thes. Why do you now retain me ? — 
Epid. Does he love that woman, whom he bought from the 
plunder? — Thes. Do you ask that? he dies for love of her. 
— Epid. [Dropping his arms in despair.] My skin will be 
flayed off my back. — Thes. He loves more than he ever 
loved you. — Epid. May Jupiter destroy you ! — Thes. [Going 
a feic steps.] Dismiss me now, for he forbad me to come 
home. He ordered me to go to Chaeribulus hither near at hand. 
He ordered me to remain there. He is to come himself 
there. — Epid. Why so? — Thes. I will tell you. Because he 
does not choose to meet his father, nor to see him, before he 
shall have paid that money which is owed for that girl. — 
Epid. Ah ! in truth what sad affairs ! — Thes. Dismiss me, 
that I may go now immediately there. — Epid. When shall 
the old man know these things ? Our shipwreck must be 
properly brought about.— Thes. How does that appertain to 



40 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

me, in what way you may perish. — Epid. [Slapping him on the 
shoulder.] Because I am unwilling to perish alone, and I want 
you to perish with me, a friend with a friend. — Thes. [Mov- 
ing away from him.] Begone to utter ruin away from me with 
that proposal ! — Epid. Go now verily, if you are very much 
in haste. — Thes. I never met any man from whom I may have 
departed more willingly. [Exit Thesprio into ChyERIBU- 
lus's house.^ [Manet Epidicus.] — Epid. [solus.] He is gone 
hence. You are now alone, Epidicus. You see now in what 
situation the affair may be. Unless you have some resource 
in yourself, you are a gone man, so great calamities hang 
over you. Unless you support yourself stoutly, you cannot 
hold up, for mountains of ruin are falling on you. Nor does 
any scheme please me, by which I may make myself free from 
this embarrassment. By my tricks I have driven the old man 
to think, that he is buying his daughter. But he has bought 
his son's Music-girl, whom the youth himself loves, and whom 
going away he committed to my care. That son has now 
brought another girl for himself from the legion, to please 
his fancy. And now I am flayed alive. For when the old 
man shall have perceived he has been imposed on, he will 
skin my back with rods. But take thou precaution, Epidi- 
cus ! [He puts his hand to his forehead, thi?iking.] That is no- 
thing! [Snaps his ji tigers.] This head of mine is evidently 
spoiled. [Three lines omitted.] What is to be done? what? 
something must be found ! [A pause.] But am I delaying to 
go to meet the young man, that I may know what his 
business can be? [He looks towards the back scene.] And now 
he himself is there ! He is sorrowful. He is walking with 
Chseribulus, his companion. T will step aside here, from 
whence I may quietly pursue the discourse of these men. 
[Epidicus goes aside.] 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter at the back scene Stratippocles and Chseribulus, 
and advance together. 

Stra. I have told you all the affair, Chaeribulus, and pro- 
nounced to you very perfectly the sum of my griefs, and of 
my loves. — Char. You are foolish, Stratippocles, beyond 
your age, and what is right. Does it shame you as to that 



EPIDICUS. 41 

now, that you bought among the plunder a captive girl, 
born of a good family ? Will there be any one, think you, who 
may set that down as a crime to you? — Stra. By that deed 
I have found all those enemies to me, who envy me. But 
to the modesty of that girl I have never administered force, 
nor crime. — Char. Now in that you are the better man, in 
my mind certainly, when you can be moderate in your love. 
— Stra. That man is of no use, who comforts a doubtful man 
with his words only. That man is a friend, who assists in a 
dubious affair, when there is need of reality. — Char. What 
do you wish me to do for you ? — Stra. To give me forty 
pounds in money, that may be given to Danista, from whom 
I took it at usury. — Char. Truly if I might have it, I would 
not deny it to you. — Stra, But what therefore signified it, 
that you were bountiful in speech, if your assistance towards 
the money was nothing? — Char. Moreover in truth I myself 
am tired out, and distracted with the clamour of law. — Stra. 
I can wish that my friends of that sort were sunk in a fur- 
nace rather than the Forum. But I must choose now to buy at 
a precious price the agency of Epidicus ; whom I will indeed 
deliver to the Jailer slashed with stripes, unless he shall have 
got for me this day forty pounds, before I shall have spoke 
out to him the least syllable of the sum wanted. — Epid. [Be- 
hind him.] The matter is safe. He promises well, I hope he 
will keep his promise well also. The reckoning is paid for 
my shoulders now, without any cost of mine. 1 will accost 
the man. [He advances and bows to Stratippocles.] The 
slave Epidicus salutes with every good wish of health his 
master Stratippocles coming from abroad ! — Stra. [Turning 
round.] Where is he? — Epid. [Going near him.] He is here. 
I rejoice that you have arrived safe ! — Stra. I believe you as 
to that, as well as I do myself. — Epid. Have you been al- 
ways well in health 1—Stra. I have been free from disease, 
but sick from the mind. — Epid. As for what appertained to 
me, I have taken care of it. That which you ordered me to 
get, has been obtained. The maiden was bought, as to 
which matter you yourself sent letters to me.— Stra. [Turning 
away.] You have lost all your trouble. — Epid. But how have 
I lost it t—Stra. Because she is neither dear to my heart, 
nor pleases me. — Epid. What signified it then to command 
me so strictly, and to send letters to me ? — Stra. I loved her 



42 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

formerly ; — now, another care hangs over my mind. — Epid. 
It is truly a wretched thing that a man should be unthankful, 
as to that which you may do well towards him ! I, as to what 
I have done well, it seems, have done wrong ! because love 
has changed place: — Stra. I was in an idiot state of mind, 
when I sent those letters to you. — Epid. Does it behove me 
to be the victim, on account of your folly ? How may you 
subject my back, as the support of your folly ? — Stra. Why 
do you hold conversation as to that ? There is need to me 
of forty pounds, hot and quickly, which you must pay to 
Danista, and that at once. — Epid. Tell me now from whence 
you wish I should get them ? From what Banker am I to 
seek them ? — Char. From where it pleases you. For unless 
before evening you can pay out this money, my house you 
do not enter. You must straightway take yourself into 
prison. — Epid. You readily pretend that with a gay heart, 
without danger or care. 1 have known my own ways. It 
is painful to me when I am flogged. — Stra. What do you 
talk of now? will you suffer me to kill myself? — Epid. You 
shall not have done that. I will approach that danger and 
boldness, rather than that. — Stra. Now you please me, and 
now I like you. — Epid. I will permit myself to do that which 
pleases you. — Stra. What therefore shall be done with that 
Music-girl? — Epid. In some way a scheme shall be found. 
By some mode I will free the business. And in some way 
I shall be extricated. — Stra. You are full of scheming. I 
have known you well. — Epid. There is a Eubcean soldier, 
rich, and possessed of much gold ; who, when he shall know 
that that girl was bought for you, and that another is 
brought here, will at once beseech you voluntarily, that you 
may transfer her to him. But where is she, whom you 
brought with you? — Stra. I will make her be here now di- 
rectly. — Char. What are we doing here now ? — Stra. Let us 
go in hitherto your house, that we may pass this whole day 
merrily. — Epid, Go ye within the house. I will call a senate 
here, and council together in my mind concerning the money 
business, thinking, against whom chiefly the war is proclaimed, 
from whom I can take away the money. [Exeunt Strappo- 
cles andduETtiBULus into the house of the latter.] [Epidicus 
solus.^\ — Epid. Take care what you may do, Epidicus ! This 
affair is very suddenly thrown upon you. For now you must 



EPIDICUS. 43 

not slumber, nor have you a power of delaying. [Considers 
awhile.'] Now my scheme is fixed to besiege that same old 
gentleman. -Go, go, go away in-doors, Epidicus, and tell now 
the young man, my master's son, that he must not walk out 
of doors here, nor come to any place where he may meet 
the old man. — Exit Epidicus into Ch^ribulus's house.] 



ACTUS SECUNDUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Ap^cides and PERiPHANEs/rom the house of 

Ap^icides. 
Apce. There are very many men, whom it shames, when 
there is no occasion, and where they are properly to be 
ashamed, there a sense of shame forsakes them, at a time 
when there is a necessity that it may shame them. Now 
you are that very man. What is there to be ashamed of, 
that you should bring your wife home, born of a good family, 
but poor ? Her particularly from whom you can call to mind 
to yourself, that this daughter who is at home, is born ? — 
Peri. I have a respect for my son. — Apce. But truly I 
believed, that you followed to the grave the wife whom you 
lost, with some modesty, whose tomb, as often as you see, 
you sacrifice immediately to Pluto with proper victims. — 
Peri. Alas ! I was Hercules when she was with me, nor was 
the sixth labour more bitter to Hercules, than that one was 
thrown upon me.— Apce. Money is indeed a handsome 
dowry. — Peri. Which in truth is not always given in a mar- 
riage. [They confer together near their house.] 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Epidicus from Chjeribulus's house. — He looks across, 
then turns about, and speaks to Stratippocles within the 
house, the door being open. 

Epid. Hist! be silent! Take courage! I go out of doors 
with a fine omen, a bird on the left ! I have a sharp knife for 
cutting open the old man's purse. Now behold him, I see 
himself before the door of Apgecides. Just such as I want, 



44 M. ACCII PL AVI I 

two Uttle old fellows ! Now I will turn myself into a leech, 
and will suck the blood of those, who are called the support 
of the Senate. [The door is shut, and Epidicus skulks towards 
the back scene on the opposite side to the old men.] — Apa. I wish 
that he may immediately become a husband. — Peri. I like 
your counsel. — Ap&. For I have heard that he is fascinated 
in love with a music-girl, I know not whom. — Peri. I am 
tortured as to that. — Epid. [behind.'] Certainly all the gods 
assist, strengthen, and love me. These men themselves in 
fact point the way, by what means I shall get the money 
from them. Come now, prepare yourself, Epidicus, and 
throw your cloak about your neck, and pretend so, as if you 
may have been through the whole city, seeking the man. 
Do it now, my boy, if you do any thing. [He throivs his cloak 
round hint, hurries to the front passing by the two old men, as if 
not seeing them, and speaks aloud.] O ye immortal gods, I wish 
I may meet Periphanesat home, whom I am tired down with 
persisting to seek through the whole city ; through the 
Apothecaries' and Barbers' shops, in the gymnasium, and the 
forum. I have become hoarse with asking for him, and 
almost fell down with running so fast. [He pretends to puff 
and blozc.]— Peri. [Calls out to him.] Epidicus? — Epid. [Going 
dozen the stage on (he opposite side.] Who is it that calls back 
Epidicus ? — Peri. I am Periphanes ! — J pa. And I am Apse- 
cides! Epid. [Turning round.] And I indeed am Epidicus! 
[He goes up to them puffing and blowing.] But, Master, I see, 
you both now come here most opportunely. — Peri. What is 
the matter? — Epid. Wait! [Fetches his breath hard.] Suffer 
me to breathe, I beg. — Peri. Yes, be at ease. — Epid. I am 
distressed. Let me get back my breath ! — Jpee. Be quiet 
now, and at rest. — Epid. [After a pause.] Give me your at- 
tention. All the men of the legion have been sent back home 
from Thebes. — Apcc. Who knows this fact? Epid. [boldly.] 
I say that it is a fact. — Peri. Do you know that to be so? 
— Epid. I do know it. — Peri. How do you know it? — Epid. 
Because I saw the soldiers march in the roads full of them. 
They bring back their arms, and conduct the carriage horses. 
— Peri. Vastly well done ! — Epid. Then what a number of 
prisoners they bring with them ! children, and young women- 
some have two of them, some three, another has five; a 
concourse of people is along the roads. Every one goes to 



EPIDICUS. 45 

see their sons. — Peri. Truly a prosperous business ! — Epid. 
Then so great a number of harlots, as many as were in all 
the city, and those bedizened every one of them, were meet- 
ing their lovers ! When I come to the port, I see there that 
woman waiting for some one, and four minstrels were going 
with her. — Peri. With whom, Epidicus ? — Epid. With that 
woman, whom your son loves and pines for, many years past; 
when he is hastening to sink his truth, and property, and 
himself, and you. She was waiting for him at the port. — 
Peri. See now the wretch of a Witch ! — Epid. But how ele- 
gantly clothed she was, decked with gold, and adorned ! how 
neatly ! how newly and fashionably ! [Thirteen lines omitted.'] 

— Peri. But go on with your story, as you have begun it. 

Epid. Two other women behind me began to converse thus 
together. I went away a little from them. I thus concealed 
that I was attending to their discourse. I did not hear what 
they might say, perfectly ; I was not however mistaken of 
their speech. — Peri. I have a desire to know it. — Epid. 
There one of them said to the other with whom she was 

going Peri. [Impatiently.] What ? — Epid. Be silent 

therefore that you may hear it. After they espied her, whom 
your son desperately loves, how pleasantly and fortunately, 
says one, it has happened to that woman, in troth, whom her 
lover wishes to set free! Who is he, says the other, to her. 
There she names Stratippocles, the son of Periphanes. — 
Peri. I am undone verily ! What do I hear from you ? — Epid. 
This that happened. — I myself afterward when I heard them 
talk thus, began again to draw near towards them by little 
and little, as if the crowd was shoving me back against my 
will. — Peri. I understand. — Epid. There one asked the other, 
How do you know ? Who told it you ? Why, says she, this 
day letters were brought to her from Stratippocles, that he 
had taken away at usury from Danista at Thebes, and that 
it was ready, and that he himself was bringing it for that 
purpose. — Peri. [Lifting up his hands.] Tell me now, am I 
destroyed? — Epid. [Continuing.] She said thus, and that 
she had heard so from the woman herself, and from the 
letter. — Peri. What shall I do now? Apaecides, I ask ad- 
vice from you. — Apas. Let us find something of crafty profit- 
able counsel. For he indeed will be here, either now imme- 
diately, or is already here. — Epid. If it were right that I 



46 M. ACC1I PLAUTI 

should be wiser than you, I can have given to you crafty 
counsel, which you may like, as I think, either of you. — 
Peri. Therefore what is it, Epidicus ? — Epid. And it is avail- 
able now to that affair. — Apcc. Why do you hesitate to say 
it? — Epid. It behoves you first to say something, who are 
wiser than me, and me to speak last. — Apcc. Well now truly 
go on, and say it to us. — Epid. But you will laugh at me. 
— Apa. W r e will not do it in truth. — Epid. Well, then, use 
the counsel if it shall please you, and if it shall not please 
you, find a better, it is neither sown, nor reaped by me 
there; but I wish those things which you wish. — Peri. I 
am favourable to you, and now make us partakers of your 
wisdom. — Epid. Let a wife immediately be found out for 
your son ; and so you may punish that Music-girl, whom he 
wants to set free, and who spoils him to you, and she may 
be so managed, that she may be a slave all her life. — Apcc. 
It ought to be done. — Peri. I am willing to do anything, 
so that that only may come to pass. — Epid. Aha! then; 
now is the opportunity of effecting it, before he shall have 
come into the city, as he will be here to-morrow. To-day 
he will not have arrived. — Peri. How do you know? — Epid. 
I do know it; because one who came from thence said that 
he would be here to-inorrow. — Peri. But do thou speak out; 
what shall we do? — Epid. I think it must be done thus. 
You must be desirous, as if to set free the Music-girl for 
your own satisfaction, and as if you yourself may love her 
vehemently. — Peri. To what advantage does that refer ? — 
Epid. Do you ask ? It is, that you may buy her before-hand 
with money, before your son can arrive, and may say that 
you buy her to give her her liberty. — Peri* I understand. — 
Epid. When she shall be bought, you must remove her away 
from the city; unless your opinion is in any respect other- 
wise. — Peri. Very skilfully said ! — Epid. But what do you 
say, Apeecides? — Apa. W 7 hat do I say now? Why I under- 
stand, that you have devised very cunningly. — Epid. At this 
time therefore all hint of the nuptials shall be kept from him, 
lest the matter in hand may be frustrated. — Apcc. You are a 
lively wise fellow, and the scheme pleases me. — Epid. Then 
do yourself cunningly effect, what you are to do. — Peri. 
Say the business really. — Epid. I have also found, how this 
suspicion may go away from you. — Peri. Let me know it. 



£pidicus. 47 

-—Epid. You shall know it. Listen now. — Ap&. [To his 
friend.] This man is chuck-full of wisdom. — Epid. There is 
need of some man, who may carry down the money there for 
the Music-girl. For there is no equal necessity that you 
should carry it there. — Peri. What am I to understand now? 
— Epid. Lest any one may think that you do it on account 
of your son. — Peri. Cleverly said! — Epid. When you may 
be hindering him from getting her, that no difficulty may 
occur on account of that suspicion. — Peri. What man shall 
we find, useful to that affair ? — -Epid. [Pointing to ApcEcides.] 
This man will be the best. He will be able to take proper 
care, who understands legal rights and laws. — Apce. Epi- 
dicus, accept my thanks ! — Epid. But I will do that business 
diligently. I will meet that man, and bring him here to you, 
whose property the Music-girl is, and I will carry the money 
along with him there. — Peri. At how much can she be bought 
at the least? — Epid. It may be, that perhaps she can be 
bought at forty pounds at the least price. But, if you shall 
have given me more, I will bring it back. There is no over- 
reaching in that matter ; and that money will not be held 
from you ten days. — Peri. How now is that? — Epid. Be- 
cause that another young man desperately loves that woman, 
a man rich in gold, a great soldier, a Rhodian, a plunderer 
of the enemy, and a braggart. He will buy her from you, 
and will give his gold freely. Do this now, and this is ample 
lucre to you in this case. — Peri. I beseech the gods indeed 
for favour ! — Epid. You obtain it. — Ap&. [To Periphanes.] 
But you now are to go„ in-doors, and bring out hither the 
money. I will go to see the parties at the Forum. Epidicus, 
come thither! — Epid. Go not away before 1 shall have come 
to you! — Aped. I shall wait till then. [Exit , Apacides at the 
back scene.'] — Peri. Follow me thou in-doors ! — Epid. Go, and 
count the money! I do not delay you. — [Exit Periphanes 
into the house. Manet Epidicus.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Epid. I am of opinion, that there is no piece of ground 
in the land of Attica, equally productive, as this our Peri- 
phanes. Moreover out of his hidden and sealed up treasury 
I shake out so much silver, just as much in truth as it pleases 



48 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

me. But faith I fear, if the old man shall have come to the 
knowledge of these things, lest my flourishing elm shall 
find parasite plants, that may entirely strip my branches. 
Now one matter and thought disturbs me ; what Music-girl 
I shall shew to Apaecides, one that must be hired somewhere. 
[He meditates.] And now I have that also. The old man 
ordered me to hire some Music-girl early in the morning 
to be brought home hither to him, while he should make a 
divination, and that she might sing there. She shall be 
hired, and it shall be shewn to her beforehand, in what 
way she may be crafty against the old man. — I will now go 
in-doors, and receive the money from the swindled old gen- 
tleman. [Exit Epidicus into the old man's house.] 



ACTUS TERTIUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Stratippocles and Chjeribulus from 
the house of the latter. 

Stra. I am consumed with waiting, wretched as I am, and 
am grievously vexed, being ignorant how the soft words of 
Epidicus may turn out to me. Too long I am wasted with 
doubts. I am eager to know whether any thing may be, or 
may not be. — Char. Through that mode offered to you, it is 
possible to find some other method. I have known indeed 
in the beginning at once, that you had no good mode in 
that proceeding. — Stra. Then I have truly perished ! — Char. 
You act absurdly, who can torture yourself in mind thus. — 
Stra. If truly I shall have once caught hold of that fellow, 
I will never suffer him, a servant forsooth, to laugh at us 
unpunished. [Eight lines omitted.] [They stand near Ch^:- 
ribulus's door.] 



EPID1CUS. 49 



SCENA SECUNDA. 



Enter Epidicus from the opposite house, zvith a bag of money 
hung at his neck. He turns round, the door being open, and 
speaks to Pertphanes zvithin. 

Epid. You have now done your duty. It behoves me 
now to do mine. Through this my care it is proper for you 
to be at ease. This money has now perished to you, unless 
that you can carry it to the account of hope in any way to 
yourself from this. This is very accurate. Trust now to 
me. So I act, and so my fathers acted. [He goes to the front 
on the same side of the stage, and the door is shut.'] O ye im- 
mortal gods ! Ye have given me this day of the year bright 
and clear ! How smooth, and how easy of success ! But am I 
delaying to go from hence, that I may import into the colony 
this provision in lucky hour? I am delaying to myself 
sadly, when I stand here. [He turns to go across.] But what 
is this ? I see before the house there, the two companions 
my master and Chaeribulus. [He goes up to them.] What are 
ye doing here ? [Tb Stratippocles.] Receive this now! 
[Gives him the bag of money.] — Stra. How much is in it 
here? — Epid. As much as is enough and more than enough. 
It is superabundant. I have brought more by ten pounds, 
than you owe to Danista. While I can please and obey 
you, I think little of my back, and floggings. [Three lines 
omitted.] I am to tell you the Pimp took away all that 
money for the Music-girl. I paid him. With these hands 
I counted it down. Your father believed her to be his own 
daughter. Now I have found out a way again, how your 
father may be deceived, and how assistance may be admi- 
nistered to you. I have persuaded the old man, and have 
held some talk with him of the kind in such a way, that 
when you shall have returned home, you could not have 
possession of her, whom you wished for. — Stra. Well done ! 
— Epid. That girl is at home now for the other. — Stra. I 
understand. — Epid. Now your father has given me Apsecides 
as a principal person to this business. He waits for me now 
at the Forum, as if to take care, whom he may buy from. — 
Stra. Not badly carried on ! — Epid. Now the cautious fellow 
himself is caught. Your father himself placed the bag of 



50 M. ACC1I PLAUTI 

money about my neck. He is preparing that you coming 
home, must immediately become a husband. — Stra. He will 
persuade me to that in one way only, if death hath taken 
away from me that girl who is brought with me. — Epid. 
Now I have planned this scheme. I will go down myself 
alone to the Pimp at his house ; I will instruct him, if any 
people may come to him, to say, that the money was given 
to him for the Music-girl ; that he got fifty pounds of silver. 
In fact three days ago I counted out that with my own 
hands for that mistress of yours, whom your father supposes 
to be his daughter. There the Pimp in ignorance will stake 
his wicked head, as if he may have received money for her, 
who is brought along with you now. — Cheer. Why you are 
more versatile than a potter's wheel! — Epid. I will have 
ready now some tricking Music-girl, who may be hired for a 
piece of money. She can pretend that she has been bought, 
and being instructed may bamboozle the two old men. Apee- 
cides also shall bring her to your father. — Stra. Finely con- 
trived ! — Epid. I will send her full fraught with my tricks, 
and loaded with deceits. But I am talking too long here. 
Ye have delayed me a long time ! Ye know these things 
now, how they are about to be. I am off. [He sets off to- 
zcards the back scene.] Stra. Be prosperous in your walk ! 
[Exit Epidicus at the back scene.] — Cheer. That fellow is 
very clever at wicked doing. — Stra. He has certainly pre- 
served me with his schemes. — Cheer. Let us go in-doors 
hence to my house ! — Stra. And somewhat more pleasantly 
I shall go within, than I went out from you lately. By the 
valour and assistance of Epidicus, I return from camp, with 
my plunder in my hands ! — [Shakes and rattles his bog of gold, 
and exit zcith Ch.eribulus into the house of the latter.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter Periphanes from the house of Ap^cides. 

Peri. [In meditation.] It has been a proper thing, that 
men should have a mirror for themselves, not for the sake 
of their face, where they might contemplate their coun- 
tenance, but in which they may view the mind of wisdom, 
and therefore may be able to view their capability of that 
mind. When they should have viewed that, they should 



EPIDICUS. 51 

think afterward, how they might have passed their life for- 
merly in their youth. Just as I myself might think, who 
lately had begun for the sake of my son to afflict myself in 
mind, as if my son might have committed a crime against 
me, or as if my own bad deeds in my youth might not have 
been very strong against me. In truth we old men are 
sometimes in a delirium. But this that I have done, was 
certainly advantageous in my opinion. [He looks towards 
the back scene.'} But lo ! my companion Apeecides is advanc- 
ing with the prize. [Enter Ap^cides at the back scene conduct- 
ing the Music-girl hired by Epidicus.] I rejoice that my 
negociator arives safe. [Goes to meet him.} What is done ? 
— Apce. The gods and goddesses assist you. — Peri. An 
omen I have seen, pleases me. — Apte. All things prosperous 
now give strength to your Omen. But order thou this girl 
to be led away within doors. [Periphanes goes to the door 
of the house, and calls aloud.} Hillo ! Go out of doors here 
some one ! [Enter a servant.} Lead that woman within the 
house, and do you hear? — Serv. [Boiving.} What do you 
wish ? — Peri. Take care how you permit this one to be 
associated with my daughter, and do not suffer her even to 
see her. Do you apprehend me now ? 1 wish that other to 
be shut up apart in the small chamber. [Exeunt the Servant 
and the Music-girl into the house.} [Three lines omitted.} — 
Apce. Truly and verily in the nick of time we bought that 
girl before your son ! — Peri. How now ? — Apce. Because 
a while ago some persons told me, that he had seen your 
son here. — Peri. Then he was preparing this business. — 
Apce. This verily and indeed is plainly so. In truth you 
have a clever servant, and worth any price. He is not dear, 
weighed against gold. How well he caused that Music-girl 
to be totally ignorant that she was bought by you ! So he 
brought her hither laughing and joyful also. — Peri. It is a 
wonder how this could happen \—Apce. He said that you 
were about to make for your son a sacred celebration at 
home, because he may have returned safe from Thebes. — 
Peri. He rightly said. — Apce. Verily he himself told her, 
that she had been hired to administer to you at the sacred 
celebration here. But I pretended upon that, that I was as 
it were ignorant, when at the same time I made myself seem 
dull-witted. — Peri. Truly so it is proper. — Apce. Now an 



52 M. ACdl PLAUTI 

important business of a friend is brought on at the Forum. 
I wish to go there as an advocate for him. — Peri. But I beg, 
when you shall have leisure, you will return to me imme- 
diately. — Apce. I will be here instantly ! [Exit Ap^cides 
at the back scene.] — Peri, [solus.] Nothing is more agreeable 
to a man, than an occasional friend. Whatever you may 
wish, though you are at no trouble, it is done notwithstand- 
ing. If I should have deputed to this business some man 
less skilled, and less crafty to this affair, he would have been 
cheated ; and so my son would most properly laugh at me, 
grinning with his white teeth in delight. Now this is folly, 
that I should turn that as a crime to him, which I myself 
did in my youth. When I was in the wars, in my memo- 
rable battles I used to pluck out men's ears, when I had 
once begun the matter. [He looks at the back scene.] But 
who is this, that I see coming hither ? A man who makes 
his cloak to be swelling in the wind, by shaking it about ? 
[He steps on one side.] 



SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter from the back scene a Military Officer, with afootboy, 
he swaggers to the front, and swings his cloak about with 
importance. 

Offi. [Staring about and speaking to the boy.] Take care 
how you may go beyond any house, but ask there, where an 
old man called Periphanes, a Plataean, inhabits ! Take care, 
how you may have come back in uncertainty. — Peri. [Going 
t* the front near him.] Young man, if I shall have shewn to 
you that man whom you seek, shall I have kind acknow- 
ledgments from you? — Offi. [Looking proud and stately.] 
Fortified with the valour of war, I have deserved that it be 
proper for all men to pay acknowledgments to me ! — Peri. 
You have not found an easy place, young man, where you 
may hold forth your deeds of valour, as you require to do. 
Be it known to you, if the worse man sets forth his battles 
to the braver man, from his mouth they become base — But 
as to him whom you seek, Periphanes of Platsea, I am he, if 
you want any thing. — Offi. Are you he, who, they say, got 
great riches in his youth, among great men in arms, for his 



EPIDJCUS. 53 

art of war? — Peri. Yes, if you were to hear my battles, you 
may fly home in dismay with your hands behind your back ! 
— Offi. In fact I rather seek one, to whom I may proclaim 
my own battles, than that man who may relate his to me. — 
Peri. This is not the place. Moreover seek thou some other 
man, on whom you may heap your idle stories ! — Offi. At- 
tend now that you may understand, on what account I come 
to you ! I have heard that you have bought my mistress. — 
Peri, [aside] Aha ! now at length I know this man, who he 
may be ! The Soldier, whom Epidicus mentioned to me 
lately. [To the Officer.] Young man, it is so as you say; I 
have bought her. — Offi. I wish to address you with a few 
words, if it is not troublesome to you. — Peri. I do not truly 
know that it is not troublesome, unless you say what you 
can want. — Offi. It is, that you may transfer her to me, and 
receive the money for her. — Peri. You may have her. — Offi. 
Now why may I spare talking freely to you ? I wish to make 
her this day a freed woman, who may be my concubine. — Peri. 
I will shortly settle the matter with you. She was bought for 
me for fifty pounds of silver. If sixty are counted down to me, 
I will cause, that the woman shall employ your idle days, and 
so in truth that you may carry her off from this country. — Offi. 
Is she bought to my use then? — Peri. It is possible for 
you to have heron these conditions. — Offi. You have settled 
the business kindly and well. — Peri. [Going to the door of 
the house.] Hillo there ! bring out of doors the Music-girl, 
whom you conducted in-doors ! [He turns to the Officer.] I 
will add also besides, the harp that was hers, as a gift to you 
for nothing. [Enter from the house a servant with the Music- 
girl, leaves her, and exit into the house.] Come now, receive 
her at once ! [Periphanes takes her by the hand and presents her 
to the Officer, who starts back at seeing her.]— Offi. What mad- 
ness takes possession of you ? What darkness are you strik- 
ing at my eyes ? You must order the Music-girl within to be 
produced here. — Peri. This is assuredly the Music-girl. 
There is no other here. — Offi. You cannot trifle with me. 
You are to produce here the Music-girl Acropolistis. — Peri. 
[Pointing.] This is she, I say. — Offi. This is not she, I say. 
Do you think that I cannot have known my own mistress? 
— Peri. My son, I say, was desperately in love with this 
Music-girl.— Offi. This is not she. — Peri. What? is not this 

i 



54 M. ACCII PLAUTl 

she? — Offi. She is not.— Peri. From whence in the world is 
she then ? Truly and verily I gave money for this one. — Offi . 
I think it foolishly given, and all was wrong in your bounty.— 
Peri. Certainly this is she ; for I sent a servant, who is used to 
follow my son. He himself bought this Music-girl. — Off. 
Oh 1 ho ! that man your servant has cut you to pieces joint by 
joint, my old Gentleman ! — Peri. How has he cut me to pieces ? 
— Off. Nothing. My suspicion is so, for this girl has been 
foisted on you for the Music-girl. You have been cheated, 
old Gentleman, evidently and in a clever way. — Peri. I will 
seek her now, wherever she is ! Captain, farewell ! [Exit the 
Officer at the back scene.'] [Manent Periphanes and the Music- 
girl.] — Peri. [Talking to himself.] Well done, Epidicus ! you 
are a notable and clever fellow ! You have fought a battle 
here ! [Shakes his head.] You are the man who have wiped me 
of the money, sottish as I am ! and at the smallest trouble to 
yourself! [He turns and addresses the Music-girl.] Has Apae- 
cides bought you to-day from the pimp ? [A pause, and he 
speaks louder] do you hear ? — Mus.-girl. [Staring at him.] I 
never heard of that man before this day, nor could any one 
buy me indeed with any money; I am a free woman more 
than five years. — Peri. What business have you therefore at 
my house ? — Mus.-girl. You shall hear. Being hired for a 
price I have come here, that I should sing to the harp for 
the old Gentleman, while he were carrying on his sacred 
ceremonies. — Peri. [In astonishment.] I confess that of all 
men in Attic Athens I am the most contemptible. But have 
you known the Music-girl Acropolistis ? — Mus.-gir/. As 
well as myself. — Peri. Where does she dwell? — Mus.-girl. 
Where she may dwell lately, after she is free, I am doubtful. 
— Peri. Ah ha! do you say so? I wish to know who may 
have freed her, if you know this ! — Mus.-giil. You shall hear 
that which I have heard. I have heard that Stratippocles, 
the son of Periphanes, when absent, took care that she should 
be made free. — Peri. [Clapping his hands in great emotion.] I 
have perished truly, if these things are true ! Most evidently 
Epiclicus has gutted my purse ! — Mus.-girl. I have heard 
these things so. Do you want me as to any thing else ? — 
Peri. [Stampbig in anger.] That you may perish in curst tor- 
ture, and get away with yourself instantly ! — Mus.-girl. 
Don't you give me back my harp ? — Peri. Neither harp nor 



EPIDICUS. §fe 

flutes ! Hurry therefore to fly hence, if the gods favour you ! 
— Mus.-girl. I shall have gone away just now. You shall 
give it back to me however at a future time, and with very 
great disgrace to you ! [ Exit Music-girl at the side scene, flirting 
her fan in a rage, and walking stately. ~\ — Peri, [solus] What 
now? Shall I who am placed in such difficulties, suffer that 
man to go unpunished ? Even though so much more money 
must be lost, I will lose it rather than suffer myself to be 
treated in mockery without punishment, and plundered also 
by them. Is it thus that I have been cheated openly and' 
before my face ? Now I despise myself less, compared with 
him who is called the founder of all laws, and the framer of 
all civil rights. [Exit Pepiphanes into the house, thumping 
his stick upon the ground in great vexation. ,] 



ACTUS QUART US. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Phi lipp a from the back scene, and advances to the front. 

Phil. If a human being has any misery that can claim 
compassion, that person is miserable according to his dispo- 
sition. That I experience, to whom many misfortunes flow 
together into one place, that simultaneously beat my breast. 
Calamity of many a sort works me. Poverty and terror also 
dismay the thoughts of my heart, nor have I any where 
within me a stronghold of defence, where I may place my 
hopes and expectations. For now my daughter is in the 
power of enemies, and I am utterly ignorant where at pre- 
sent she may be. [She stands weeping in great grief] [Enter 
Periphanes from his house, and seeing her, retires behind 
her.] — Peri. Who is that woman, that is a stranger coming 
from abroad, evidently alarmed, and who herself compas- 
sionates herself? — Phil. My Periphanes is said to dwell in 
these parts. — Peri. [Behind.] this woman names me ! I do 
believe, a necessity for some hospitality has come upon her. 
— Phil. I can wish to give a reward to any one who may 
shew that man to me, or where he may dwell ! — Peri. [Hold- 
ing his hand above his eyes to look at her.] I know this woman 



56 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

by sight ; for I seem, I know not where, to have seen her 
before. Is she or is she not, the woman whom my mind 
supposes her to be ? — Phil. [Turning round and seeing him.'] 
Ye good gods ! I have often seen this man before ! — Peri. 
It is certainly she, whom I remember that I cohabited with, 
when a poor woman in Epidaurus. — Phil. [Looking stead- 
fastly at him.] This is evidently he, who first violated my 
maiden modesty in Epidaurus. — Peri. She, on communica- 
tion with me, brought forth a daughter, whom I have now 
at home. — Phil. What if I were to accost him? — Peri. I 
know not whether I will go to her, if this is she. — Phil. 
Many years make me doubtful, if this is indeed the man. — 
Peri. Length of time makes my mind uncertain. But if it 
is she, whom with some doubt I imagine it to be, I will com- 
municate with her craftily. — Phil. A womanly cunning must 
now be used by me.— Peri. [Advancing.] May you be well 
in health ! — Phil. I receive that salutation for me and mine. 
— Peri. What else do you say? — Phil. May you be well in 
health ! That which you gave to me, I give back. — Peri. I 
do not accuse your honesty. Have I known you? — Phil. 
If I have known you, I will induce your mind to think, that 
you must have known me. — Peri. Where have I seen you? 
— Phil. You are unjustly injurious ! — Peri. How am I thus? 
— Phil. Because you think it just, that I should serve your 
memory. — Peri. You have spoke smartly. — Phil. You speak 
wonderfully. — Peri. Aha ! that is excellent ! Do you re- 
member a matter? — Phil. I remember it. — Peri. It was in 
Epidaurus. — Phil. [Weeping.] Alas ! you have moistened my 
warm heart now with a tear! — Peri. [Continuing.] That I 
lightened the poverty of you a distrest girl, and your mother. 
— Phil. Are you he, who for his own pleasure, planted a 
heavy calamity on me? — Peri. I am he, health be to you! 
— Phil. I am in health, because I perceive that you are in 
health. — Peri. [Holding out his hand.] Give me your hand ! 
— Phil. Take it. [They join hands.] You hold now a woman un- 
fortunate, and in possession of many miseries ! [She weeps,] 
— Peri. What is it, that your countenance shews you so sadly 
troubled at? — Phil. I lament my daughter, whom I took up 
born from you. — Peri. What as to her? — JPMl. I have lost 
her, when brought up. She is in the possession of the ene- 
mies. [She sobs aloud.] — Peri. Have a quiet mind, and trail- 



EPIDICUS. 57 

quillize yourself. Behold her safe and sound at my house I 
For at once after I heard from my servant that she was a 
prisoner, I gave money immediately that she might be bought. 
The servant therefore took care of that affair soberly and 
honestly, however as to other affairs he is wicked at my cost. 
— Phil. Grant me, that I may see her, if you wish me to 
live ! — Peri. [Going to the door of the house.'] What ho ! Can- 
thara! Order immediately my daughter Acropolistis to go 
forth before the house, that she may see her mother. — Phil. 
My courage at length now returns to me. {They both look at 
the door in eager expectation.'] 



SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter from the house the Music-girl, and goes up to 
Periphanes. 

Mus.-girl. What is it, Papa, that you have called me out 
before the house ? — Peri. That you may see your mother, may 
go up to her, and give salutation, and a kiss to her justnow ar- 
riving ! — Mus.-girl. [Looking about.] What mother of mine ? — 
Peri. She who much affected follows the sight of you with her 
eyes ! [Philippa stares at her all the time.] — Phil. Who is that 
woman, whom you order to give me a kiss? — Peri. Your daugh- 
ter. — Phil. She my daughter? — Peri. Yes, she! — Phil. Can I 
give akiss to her?— Pen*. Why not to her, who was born of you ? 
— Phil. Thou, man, art gone mad! — Peri. I gone mad? — Phil. 
You yourself. — Peri. Why? — Phil. Because I neither know 
this woman, who she can be, nor have I known her, nor have 
I seen her with my eyes before this day. I deny that I have 
known her, who she may be. — Peri. [Stamps with rage.] O 
the faith of gods and men! What? do I play the part of a 
Pimp ? who can have strangers in my house, and can draw 
out money at all from my house. [Turns to the Music-girl.] 
What are you, who callest me your father, and dost kiss me? 
[A pause.] Why do you stand stupid? Why are you silent? 
— Mus.-girl. What do you wish I may say ? — Peri. She de- 
nies that she is your mother. — Mus.-girl. [ With a careless air.] 
Let her not be so, if she is not willing ! But in truth, she 
being unwilling, I will nevertheless be the daughter of my 
mother. [Pointing to Philippa.] It is not right that I should 



OW M. ACCIE PLAUTI 

compel her to be ray mother, if she does not choose it. — 
Peri. Why therefore used you to call me father? — Mus.-girl. 
That is your own fault, not mine, May I not call you fa- 
ther, when you call me daughter? I may even call her mo- 
ther, also, if she can call me daughter. She denies that I 
am her daughter, she therefore is not my mother. Lastly, 
this is not my fault. I said all things, which I learned. 
Epidicus was my teacher. — Peri. I have perished! I have 
ruined myself! — Mus.-girl. Have I done any thing wrong 
then?— Peri. [Shaking his stick at her.] Truly if ever I shall 
have heard you call me father, I will destroy your life, you 
vilest creature ! — Mus.-girl. I do not call you so. When you 
shall be willing to be my father, be so then ; when you shall 
be unwilling, you shall not have been my father! — Phil. [To 
Periphanes.] What? have you bought her on that account, 
because you supposed her your daughter? From what signs 
did you acknowledge her? — Peri. From none. — Phil. Why 
did you believe her to be my daughter? — Peri. My servant 
Epidicus told me so. — Phil. What if it seemed otherwise to 
your servant? Were you not able to know her, 1 pray? — 
Peri. How may I have known her? who, however I saw her 
at first, never saw her afterwards. — Phil. [Clapping her hands.] 
I have perished a wretched woman ! [She weeps.] — Peri. 
Weep not, woman ! Go inside the house! have good cou- 
rage! I will find that daughter. — Phil. An Attic citizen from 
hence, from Athens, bought her. They said indeed that a 
young man bought her. — Peri. I will find her. Say nothing! 
Begone now in-doors ! and keep to yourself this Circe, the 
daughter of the Sun! [Exit Philippa into the house, and the 
Music-girl follows her.] [Periphanes solus.] — Peri. I will 
take pains now in seeking Epidicus, all business being laid 
aside. If I find him, I will make this day destructive to him, 
[shakes his stick, and knocks it on the ground in a rage] and that 
it may become so to the villain! [Exit Periphanes at the 
back scene, hobbling fast.] 



EPIDICUS. 59 

ACTUS QUINTUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter STRATipPOCLEsyrow Ch^ribulus's house. 

Stra. [solas.'] Badly behaved towards me is Danista, who 
does not seek the money from me, nor does he bring me that 
girl, who was bought oat of the plunder. [He looks towards 
the back scene.] But behold him ! Epidicus is marching hither. 
What is it, that his brow lours with gloominess ? [Enter 
Epidicus from the back scene, and advances on one side to the 
front, without seeing Stratippocles.] — Epid. If Jupiter 
were to bring with him eleven gods besides himself, all of 
them thus will not be able to exempt Epidicus from torture. 
I sawPeriphanes buy the flogging straps. Apgecides was pre- 
sent there with him. I believe that those men are now hunt- 
ing for me. They have perceived, and now know that they 
have been cheated. — Stra. [Going up to him.] What are you 
about, my convenient fellow ? — Epid. That which a wretched 
man can do. — Stra. What is the matter with you ? — Epid. 
Now you are to provide for me provisions for my flight, be- 
fore I perish ; for two bald old men are hunting for me through 
the city, and carry in their hands monstrous fetters ! — Stra. 
Have good courage ! — Epid. Can I have good courage, whose 
freedom in this world is buried for ever? — Stra. I will pre- 
serve you. — Epid. Truly they will preserve me safer, if they 
shall have got me. [He looks out at the side scene.] But who 
is this young woman, and that fat corpulent man, who is 
coming hither? — Stra. [Looking out.] This is Danista. But 
this woman with him, is she, whom I bought out of the 
plunder. — Epid. [Looking out.] Isthisshe? — Sira. It is she. 
Is the girl as I said? look at her. — Epid. Is this she cer- 
tainly 2 — Stra. Contemplate her, Epidicus. From her very 
toe to the top of her head she is most charming. Is she not 
so ? Consider her, and look ! You will have seen an image 
beautifully painted. — Epid. According to your words, you 
are to proclaim my skin about to be handsome ; me, whom 
both Apelles and Zeuxis might paint, with the colours caused 
by elm-tree rods and scourgings ! [E?iter at the side scene 



60 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

Danista, conducting the girl brought to Stratippocles.] 
— Stra. Immortal gods ! I wonder that you have gone so 
slow ! He who is detained by swelled feet, would have come 
to me before you come! — Dani. This girl in truth delayed 
me. — Stra. If indeed you delayed for her sake, and she 
wished it, you came here too quickly. — Dani. Come, come! 
pay me now, and count the money ! that I may not delay 
my companions ! — Stra. It has been fully counted. — Dani. 
• Keep to yourself your bag, and bring the money from within 
hither ! — Stra. You proceed wisely. Wait, while I bring- 
out the money to you ! — Dani. Hasten now ! — Stra. It is at 
homo. [Exit Stratippocles into Chjeribulus's house.'] 
[Danista walks down the stage waiting.] — Epid. [Looking 
steadfastly at the girl.] Have I any use of my eyes sufficiently 
true, or have I not? Do I see you, the daughter of Peri- 
phanes, born of your mother Philippa, arid begotten at Epi- 
daurus? — Girl. What man art thou, that dost mention the 
name of my parents, and my own name? — Epid. Have you 
not known me ? — Girl. I wish indeed, that it may now come 
into my mind! — Epid. Do you not remember, that I carried 
you a purse of gold on your birth-day, a hoop ring, and a 
ring of gold for your finger? — Girl. I remember it, my good 
man. Are you he? — Epid. I am he, and that man who was 
here just now, is your brother from another mother, and from 
the same father. — Girl. What did you say? "my father?" 
[She looks at him with. surprise.] Is he alive? — Epid. Be of 
smooth and tranquil mind ! Be silent now ! — Girl. The gods 
wish me, from a lost woman to be preserved, if you affirm 
true things. — Epid. I have no occasion to tell false things 
before you. [Enter Stratippocles from Chjeribulus's 
house, and Danista comes up to him.] — Stra. [Taking 
money from a bag, and putting it into Danista's hands.] 
Take this silver, Danista! here are forty pounds! If any 
piece shall be doubtful, I will change it. — Dani. You have 
done well! Farewell kindly! [Exit Danista at the back 
scene.] — Stra. [To the Girl.] Now in truth you are mine. — 
Girl. Indeed and verily I am your sister, that you may know 
the matter equally with me ! Health to you, my brother ! — 
Stra. [To Epidicus.] Is this woman in her senses? — Epid. 
She is in her senses, if she calls you her brother. — 
Stra. What? have I become brother to this woman, only 



EPIDICUS. 61 

while I go in-doors,jmd go out? — Epid. As to that which is 
of advantage to you, be silent about it, yourself with yourself, 
and rejoice at it. — Stra. [Addressing her.} Thou hast de- 
stroyed me, my sister, and found me at the same time ! — 
Epid. Be silent in your folly! You have at home near at 
hand, what you may love, the Music-girl, obtained by my 
endeavour ; and in the same way by my effort I purchase 
your sister into freedom. — Stra. Epidicus, I acknowledge it. — 
Epid. [Pointing to the door o/'Apjecides's house.} Go in-doors 
there, and order, water to be warmed for her ! I will cause 
you to know all these other matters at a later time, when 
there shall be leisure. — Stra. [Speaking to her.] Follow me 
this way, my sister ! [They both approach the house.] — Epid. 
I shall have ordered Thesprio to pass across hither. But 
remember, if the old men are at all savage against me, to 
bring support to me along with your sister. — Stra. That will 
be an easy thing. [Exeunt Stkatippocles and Acropo- 
listis into Ap^cides's house.] [Epidicus goes to the door 
of Ch^eribulus's house, and calls aloud.] — Epid. Thesprio, 
go out that way through the garden, and bring assistance 
to me at home ! It is an affair of consequence ! [He quits 
the door, and comes forward.] I much less fear the old men 
now, than lately I did. I will return within doors now, that 
these old hosts when arriving, may be looked to. I will 
tell these same things, that I know, to Stratippocles within. 
I do not fly away. I am determined to be present at home ; 
that he should not throw out against me, that he was pro- 
voked by my flight. I go away in-doors ! Too long a time 
I am talking here ! [Exit Epidicus into Ap^cides's house.] 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Periphanes and Aptecides from the back scene, 
with fogging straps in their hands. 

Peri. That rascal holds us two old decrepit fellows, sadly 
in contempt. — Apae. In fact, truly and verily, you keep me 
miserable in a wretched way. — Peri. Hold your peace now ! 
Let me but get the man. — Apes. I say to you now, that you 
may know it, get to yourself another companion, rather than 
me ! for while I am following you, the gouty blood has fallen 

K 



62 M. ACCII PLATJTI 

down on the knees of wretched me from natural weariness. 
— -Peri. In how many ways has that fellow this day made 
sport of you and me ! But how has he gutted my money- 
bags ! — Ap&. Away with the fellow from me ! for he is verily 
the son of Vulcan in a passion ! Wherever he touches, he 
sets every thing on fire ! If you may stand near him, he 
makes you boil with his flame! — \_E?iter Ep i di cu s from 
Ap^cides's house, and stands near the door of it.] Epid. More 
than twelve gods of the immortal gods in the sky, are now 
with their aid assistants to me, and fight, along with me. 
As to whatever I have done wickedly, I have helps and sup- 
ports at home. I scorn all my enemies ! — Peri. [To Apje- 
cides.] Where in the world shall I look for that man? — 
Apa. While you may look for him without me, you may 
seek him, as far as concerns me, in the very middle of the 
sea! — Epid. [Going up, and addressing Periphanes.] Why 
are you hunting me? Why do you labour? Why do you 
[pointing to Ap^cides] trouble this man? Behold me here ! 
Whether have I fled from you ? Whether am I absent from 
home ? Have I gone aside from your view ? I do not suppli- 
cate to you. Are you willing to bind me? harkye ! I offer 
my hands to you ! You have the whipping straps ! I saw 
you buy them. Why do you now delay? Tie my hands to- 
gether ! — Peri. Heighday ! This man of his own accord 
gives me his recognizance ! — Epid. Why do you not bind 
my hands together ? — Peri. In truth a wicked slave this ! — 
Epid. Verily, Apsecides, I do not want you as an intercessor 
for me ! — Apce. You easily obtain your wish, Epidicus ! [Four 
lines omitted.] — Epid. You make delay to yourself, when I 
stand thus unbound. Tie me, I say, and bind my hands 
together ! — Peri. But it pleases me more to examine you 
unbound. — Epid. But you will discover nothing. — Peri. [To 
Ap^cides.] What am I to do now? — Apce. What may you 
do? Let him be complied with. — Epid. You are a sober- 
minded man, Apgecides. — Peri. Give me your hands there- 
fore ! — Epid. [Offering his hands.] They care not ; and 
closely tie them together, not however hurtfully. — Peri. 
Judge of it when the work is done. [He ties his hands together 
with straps.] — Epid. This is well ! Come on now, ask 
questions of me ! Ask what it pleases you ! — Peri. In the 
first place with what confidence have you dared to say, that 



EPIDICUS. 63 

she was my daughter who was bought three days ago ? — 
Epid. It pleased me to do so, and that was my safeguard. 
[Three lines omitted.] — Peri. But who is that woman? — 
Epid. The mistress of your son ; that now you may know 
all the affair. — Peri. Have I given you thirty pounds for 
buying my daughter? — Epid. I confess that they were 
given ; and with that money that I bought that mistress of 
your son the Music-girl, instead of your daughter ! There- 
fore I touched you for those thirty pounds. — Peri. How 
greatly you cheated me concerning that hired Music-girl ! — 
Epid. Truly and indeed it was done, and I judge that it was 
rightly done. — Peri. Lastly, what was done with the money 
which I gave?— Epic?. I will tell you. I gave it neither to 
a bad man, nor to a very good man, your son Stratippocles, 
— Peri. Why dared you to give it him ? — Epid. Because it 
pleased me. — Peri. What is this insolence, you vile rascal ? 
— Epid. I am abused now, as if a slave ! — Peri. [Sneeringly.] 
As you are a free man, I am to rejoice ! — Epid. I have de- 
served that I should be made free. — Peri. Hast thou 
deserved it 1—Epid. Go and see within doors ; I will cause 
you to know that this is so. — Peri. What business is that? 
— Epid. The affair itself will now tell you. Only go you 
in-doors ! — Peri. Oho ! it is not rashly said ! Keep him 
here, Apsecides ! [Exit Periphanes into the house.] — Apa. 
What is that business, Epidicus? — Epid. Truly I stand 
here, bound very wrongfully, by whose endeavour this 
daughter of his has been this day found. — Apa. Do you say 
that you have found his daughter? — Epid. I have found 
her, and she is at home. But how bitter a thing it is, when 
for things well done you may reap a harvest of calamity ! — 
Apa. How tired are we, each of us, in seeking you through 
the city to-day ! — Epid. I am tired with finding out you, ye 
are tired with seeking me ! [Enter Periphanes from the 
house.] — Peru What are you talking of there with so great 
energy? I know that he has deserved well, and that it must 
be proper to do something for that deserving ! [To Epidicus.] 
Give me your hands you, that I may loose them. — Epid. 
You may not touch them ! — Peri. Hold them forth now ! — 
Epid. I do not choose it. — Peri. You do a wrong thing ! — 
Epid. Never in truth, unless you make atonement to me 
this day, will I suffer myself to be loosed. — Peri. [Laughing.] 



64 M. ACCII PLAUTI EPIDICUS. 

You ask a very good thing, and a very right thing. I will 
give you socks, and a tunic, and a cloak. — Epid. What then 
besides ? — Peri. Your freedom. — Epid. But afterward ? To 
a new-freed man there is need of something that he may 
eat. — Peri. It shall be given. I will furnish food. — Epid. 
Never truly this day, unless you shall have entreated me, 
shall you loose me ! — Peri. [Laughing.] I beseech you, 
Epidicus, that you may pardon me, if in ignorance I have 
done any thing wrong with my own fault! But, on account 
of that affair, [he touches his shoulder with his hand] be thou 
free ! — Epid. Against my will I give you this forgiveness, 
but I am compelled by necessity. Loose me now truly, if 
it pleases you ! [He offers his hands. Periphanes and 
Ap^cides take off the straps that bound his hands, and then 
go into their house, Epidicus following them. Exeunt Peri- 
phanes, Apjecides, and Epidicus.] 

Enter the Company of Players, and one of them 
addresses the Spectators. 

He whom you have seen, is that man who gained his free- 
dom by his wicked conduct! Clap your hands, and farewell I 
Raise your loins, and lift yourselves upwards ! 



END OF THE EPIDICUS. 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 
MEN^CHMI. 



CHARACTERS IN THE COMEDY. 



MENiECHMUs Surreptus, a Gentleman of property '. 

Men^chmus Sosicles, his brother, also a man of wealth. 

An Old Man, father-in law of Menaechmus Surreptus. 

The Wife of Menaechmus Surreptus. 

Erotium, the harlot of Menaechmus Surreptus. 

Peniculus, a parasite of Menaechmus Surreptus. 

A Physician. 

Jail-Jloggers. 

Cylindrus, a cook. 

Messenio, a servant of Menaechmus Sosicles. 

A Maid-servant. 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 

MEN^ICHMI. 



Scene. — A street in Epidamnum. Menjechmus Surrep- 
tus's house on one side, and Erotium's house on the other, 
with their doors opposite. 



ACTUS PRIMUS. 
SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Peniculus from the back scene, and advances 
to the front. 

Pen. The young men gave me the name of Peniculus, 
for that reason because whenever I eat, 1 clear the table, 
clean of every thing ! They who bind captives with chains, 
and they who put fetters on runaway slaves, in my opinion 
indeed act very foolishly. For to a miserable man, if bad 
usage is added to calamity, there is a greater desire to run 
away, and to act roguishly. Certainly they deliver them- 
selves from chains by some means or other. In that case 
the fettered wear away the door with a file, or drive out a 
spike-nail with a stone. Him, that you wish to keep strictly 
that he may not run away, it becometh to be bound well 
with victuals and drink ! You may fasten a man's nose easily 
to a plentiful table. While you afford him what he eats and 
can drink, at his own will, and plentifully every day, verily 
he will never fly, though he may have committed a great 
crime. [Three lines omitted."] Assuredly I go now to JMe- 
nsechmus, by whom I have been for a long time esteemed, 
that he may voluntarily bind me down in that same manner. 
For that person not only nourishes men, but fosters and 
amuses them. No doctor prescribes a medicine so good. 



DO M. ACCII PLAUTI 

In fact the young man himself is fond of the nicest dainties, 
gives costly suppers, and heaps up the tables with good 
things. [Six lines omitted.] Now I go to see him. [He goes 
towards Menjechmus's door, and stops at seeing the door 
opened.] But the door of his house is thrown open ! and 
behold him, I see Menaechmus himself. He is going forth 
out of doors. 



SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Menjechmus Surreptus from his house. He turns 
round, and speaks to his wife within, the door being open. 

Men. Unless you were bad, and unless you were foolish, 
unless you were wild and mad, which you may see is hateful 
to your husband, you yourself ought to hate yourself! Be- 
sides this, if you shall have done such a thing to me after 
this day, I will cause, that you, destitute and packed out of 
doors, must visit your father again. For as often as I want 
to go abroad, you retain and recal me, and ask where I may 
be going, what affair I can be about, what business I may 
be carrying on, what I may seek, what I may bring, and 
what I may have done out of doors ! I have actually brought 
home a tax-gatherer, and so it is necessary for me to tell 
every affair, whatever I have done, or am doing. [Three lines 
omitted.] You will guard against what is wrong, if you are 
wise. You will cease to watch your husband. And so, 
that you may not observe me in vain, on account of that care 
you take, I will this day lead a harlot to supper, and will 
order this supper somewhere abroad. [He advances to the 
front.] — Pen, [Behind.] That man seems to abuse his wife, but 
in fact he is speaking to me, for if he sups abroad, in truth 
he punishes me, and not his wife. — Men. [To himself.] Huzza ! 
truly at length by scolding I have driven away my wife from 
the door ! Where are now the admirers of a proper husband ! 
Why do they all cease to reward me, congratulating that I 
have fought bravely ! [He takes a woman's cloak handsomely 
adorned, from under his own cloak.] I stole this cloak just now 
from my wife within there. I am carrying it to my harlot. 
[Six lines omitted.] What man is here 1 [He looks back.] — Pen. 
[Advancing.] I am here ! — Men. Oh ! my convenient fellow, 



MEN^ECHMI. 69 

and ready occasion, health to you ! — Pen. Health to you in 
return ! [They shakeJiands.] — Men. What do you say now to 
me ? — Pen. I hold by the hand my protecting Genius ! — 
Men. You could not come to me in a more proper time, 
than you do now come. — Pen. So lam used to do. I know 
all the niceties of a convenient time. [Twenty-eight lines 
omitted, as unfit.'] — Men. [Shewing the woman' 's cloak.] This 
now shall be carried to my mistress, this harlot Erotium. I 
will order immediately a dinner to be prepared for me, and 
you, and her. From that time we will drink, even until to- 
morrow's day-light star. — Pen. Cleverly you have spoken. 
Am I to knock at the door now ? — Men. Knock at it ! Wait, 
wait, [as he is going to knock] I beseech you now ! [The door 
of Erotium's house is opened.] Behold, she is going out 
from her own house ! — Pen. [Pointing at the open door.] Oho I 
you see the sun there ! Are you not greatly blinded by the 
bright rays of its substance? 

SGENA TEHTIA. 

Enter Erotium from her house. 

Ero. Health to you, my life ! my Menaechmus ! [They 
embrace.] — Pen. Why am I left out? — Ero. You are out of 
the number in my account. [Seven lines omitted.] — Ero. 
[Pointing to the female cloak.] What is this ? — Men. Apparel 
for you, my rosebud, and spoils taken from my wife. [Nine 
lines omitted.] Take this to yourself! [He presents the cloak 
to her] since you alone live most agreeable to my ways of 
life. [Four lines omitted.] Do you know what I wish you to 
attend to ? — Ero. I know. I will take care to get those things 
which you will wish to have. — Men. Order therefore for us 
three a dinner to be got ready at your house, and provisions 
to be bought, and some nice delicacies from the Forum. 
And this immediately. — Ero. It must be done indeed. — Men. 
We are going on to the Forum, but just now we shall be 
here ; and while the dinner is cooking, we will drink in the 
meanwhile. — Ero. Whenever you will, come to me! The 
thing shall be prepared. — Men. Hasten now ! [to Peniculus.] 
Follow me, thou ! — Pen. Truly and verily I will stick to 
you, and follow you at the same time. And since I am not 

L 



70 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

to lose you to-day, I can gain the riches of the gods to 
myself. [Exeunt Men^echmus and Peniculus at the back 
scene.] — Ero. [Going to the door of her house, and calling 
aloud.] You within there, call out to me Cylindrus the 
cook out of doors immediately ! [She returns.] 



SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter Cylindrus the cook from Erotium's house. 

Ero. Take a basket, and this money ; [she gives him money] 
look at those, you have three pieces there ! — Cyl. I have 
them. — Ero. And bring provisions. See that there be 
enough for three people, and let it not be deficient, nor over 
and above. — Cyl. Of what sort will these men be? — Ero. 
I, and Menaechmus, and his Parasite will sup here. — Cyl. 
Now those are ten men, for the Parasite readily performs 
the duty of eight men at supper. — Ero. I have mentioned 
the guests ; take care of the rest of the business yourself. — 
Cyl. It must be done. The things are even now dressed ! 
Order them to go to lie down at table ! — Ero. Return 
quickly ! — Cyl. I will be here now instantly. [Exeunt — 
Cylindrus at the back scene , Erotium into her house.] 



ACTUS SECUNDUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Menjechmus Sosicles, and Messenio his servant, 
with a cloak-bag in his hand, from the back scene. 

Men. There is no pleasure, Messenio, in my mind, greater 
to navigators, than when from the deep afar they espy land. 
— Mess. There is a greater, I will not speak falsely, if coming 
to land, you may see that, which shall have been your own 
country ! But I beseech you, for what reason have we now 
come to Epidamnum? Whether or no are we to go about 
all the islands, as we have done the sea ? — Men. I go to 
seek a twin-brother of mine. — Mess. Now what bounds are 



MEN^ECHMI. 71 

there to be of our seeking him ? This is the sixth year after 
we give up all our attention to that business ! We have been 
carried round the Istri, the Hispani, the Massilians, the 
Illyrians, and all the upper sea, and foreign Greece, and all 
the Italian coasts, where the sea reaches them. I do be- 
lieve, if you were hunting for a needle, you would have 
found the said needle, if it could appear, a long time since. 
We are seeking for a dead man among the living. For we 
should have found him a long time ago, if he were alive. — 
Men. Therefore I am seeking for some man, who may make 
that a sure matter to me, and who may say that he knows, 
that that man is dead. Beyond that, I will not take pains 
to seek. But otherwise, while alive, I will not desist from 
performing this duty. I know as to him, how dear he may 
be to my heart. — Mess. You are making a knot in a smooth 
rush ! But are we not to return home from hence, unless we 
are to write a history of our adventures ? — Men. I wish you 
maj use some wise talking, and avoid your evil speech ! Be 
not thus troublesome ! This matter shall not be in your 
fashion. — Mess. [Aside, ,] Oho ! with this word in truth I 
am to know that I am a servant ! He could not in a few 
words speak more plainly. But nevertheless .1 cannot con- 
tain myself, but I must speak. [To Ms ?naster."] Do you hear 
me, Mensechmus ? When I look into the purse, I find, we 
are indeed very thin of a supply of the needful. Verily and 
truly I think, unless you will return home, you will groan 
sadly, when you will have no money while you are seeking 
your brother. Now truly this Epidamnian nation of men 
is of this description ; given to pleasure and the greatest 
drunkards. Then a vast many sycophants and spungers 
dwell in this city ; and besides, harlot women, no where in 
the world more engaging, are said to be here. In addition, 
the name of Epidamnum is given to this city, because no 
one almost sojourns here without loss of property. — Men. 
I will guard against that. Give me up the purse here ! — 
Mess. What do you want with that? — Men. I have fears 
from you now, from your own words. — Mess. What do you 
fear? — Men. Lest you should put some damage upon me in 
Epidamnum. You are a great lover of women, Messenio ! 
But I am a man given to anger, of an unhappy mind. I will 
have guarded against either thing happening, when I shall 



72 M. ACCH PLAUTI 

have the money, that you may not commit a fault, or that I 
may be angry with you. — Mess. Take it, and keep it ; [he 
gives him a large purse of money] you will have done so with 
my good consent. 



SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Cylindr us from the back scene, with a basket 
of provisions. 

Cyl. [Talking to himself] I have bought good provisions, 
and according to my opinion shall put down a good dinner 
before these dining people. [He advances, and sees Menjech- 
mus at the front.'] But behold him! I see Mensechmus there! 
Woe to my back ! The guests are now walking before the 
door, before I am returning with the provisions ! I will go 
up to him and speak to him. [He goes up to Men^chmus, 
lays down his basket, and hows.] Menaechmus, health be to 
you! — Men. [Answering.] The gods will love you! Do you 
know who I am? — Cyl. I am not mistaken truly !* where 
are the other guests ? — Men. What guests are you seeking ? 
— Cyl. Your Parasite. — Men. My Parasite? [Turning to 
Messenio] certainly this man is mad ! — Mess. Have I told 
you, that there are very many knaves here ? — Men. [To Cy- 
lindrus.] Young man, what Parasite of mine do you seek 
here ? — Cyl. Peniculus. — Mess. Behold him, I have him 
safe here in the bag !f — Cyl. You come here, Mensechmus, 
too soon to the dinner. I am now returning with the pro- 
visions ! — Men. Answer me, young man, at what price are 
pigs sold here, really fit for sacrifice ? — Cyl. For a piece of 
silver. — Men. Receive that money from me; and order 
yourself to be cleared and expiated from my money! For I 
know indeed for certain that you are mad, who are trouble- 
some to an unknown man, whoever you are. — Cyl. I am 
Cylindrus ! Have you not known my name ? — Men. Whe- 
ther you are Cylindrus, or Corindrus, you shall have gone 
to perdition ! I have not known you, and also am not will- 
ing to have known you! — Cyl. Your name is Mensechmus, 

* In the Latin, instead of, " non hercle vero," it should certainly be, "non 
hercle erro." 

t A pun of Messenio's on the word " Peniculus," which signifies " a napkin." 



MENiECHMl. 73 

so far is what I know. — Men. You speak as a man in his 
senses, when you call me by my name. But where have 
you known me? — Cyl. Where can I have known you? You, 
who must have this mistress of mine, Erotium, as your harlot 
mistress \—Men. Neither in truth have I her, nor do I know 
you, what man you may be. — Cyl. Do you not know who 
I may be ? who very often hand the glasses at our house, 
when you drink. — Mess. [Shaking his fist at Cylindrus.] 
Sad fate to me, when I have nothing, wherewith I may break 
that man's head \—Men. Are you used to hand glasses to 
me, who before this day never saw, nor came to Epidamnum ? 
—Cyl Do you deny it 1—Men. I do deny it actually in 
truth.— Cyl. [Pointing.] Do you not dwell in that house? — 
Men. May the gods destroy those men who dwell there !— 
Cyl. This man is truly mad, who himself curses himself! 
[Men^chmus turns away in anger.] Do you hear, MenaBch- 
mus? — Men. [Turning about again.] What do you want? — 
Cyl. If you were to consult me as to that piece of money, 
which awhile ago you promised to give me, you must order, 
if you can be wise, a little pig to be brought to yourself, for 
truly and verily, and for certain, you are not well in your 
senses, Mensechmus, who now thyself cursest thyself ! — Mess. 
Aha ! What a man this really, and how very hateful in my 
sight! — Cyl. [to Messenio.] He is used to joke with me 
often in that manner. How fond of laughing he is, when 
his wife is not present ! — Men. [Pointing to the basket.] What 
business are you doing with this ? — Cyl. What do you wish, 
I say? this that you see, is it provision enough for three of 
you? or am I to provide more for you, and the parasite, and 
the woman? — Men. What woman do you speak of, and 
what parasites? — Mess. [To Cylindrus.] What wicked- 
ness urges thee, who can be troublesome to him? — Cyl. [To 
Messenio.] What business have you with me? I have not 
known thee! I am talking with him whom I have known. 
— Men. In truth you are a man out of his reason. I know 
it for certain. — Cyl. [Taking up his basket.] Now therefore I 
will make these be cooked, and there shall be no more 
delay. From this time [speaking to Menjechmus] depart 
not thou any where very far from the house ! Do you want 
now any thing of me ? — Men. That you may go to the very 
worst perdition ! — Cyl. In the mean time it is in truth 



74 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

better, that you should go, and recline at the table, while I 
apply these articles to the strength of a good fire. I will 
go in-doors, and tell Erotium that you are at hand, and 
standing here ; that she may lead you away from hence, 
rather than you may stand here at the door! — [Exit Cylin- 
drus with his basket into Erotium's house.] — Men. [To 
Messenio.] Has he gone away now? In truth I find by 
experience that your words w 7 ere not false. — Mess. Only 
observe ! Now I do believe that a harlot woman dwells 
there, as that mad fellow said indeed, who went hence just 
now. — Men. But I wonder how he can have known my 
name ! — Bless. In truth it is not wonderful. Harlots have 
this custom ; they send to the port servant-boys and ser- 
vant-girls, if any foreign ship arrives at the port; these 
ask whose it may be, and what may be the name of it; 
afterward those women adjoin themselves quickly to a 
stranger, and fasten themselves on him. If they have 
enveigled him, they send him hume a ruined man. [He poi?its 
at Erotium's door.~\ Now in that port stands a pirate 
ship, from whom I soberly think we must keep of?. — Men. 
Indeed and in truth you advise me rightly. — Mess. Then at 
last I shall know that I have advised you rightly, if you 
shall have been properly cautious. — Men. Be silent now r 
awhile, for the door of the house has creaked! [They step 
back.] Let us see the person who goes out hence ! — Mess. 
I will dispose of this in the mean time. [He puts the cloak- 
bag at his back.] Observe these things now, if you please. 
Behold the ship ! # 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter Erotium from her house, and Cylindrus, and 
two servants of Menjechmus Surreptus. The door is 
left open. 

Ero. Let the doors remain thus ! [To Cylindrus.] Be- 
gone thou ! I do not wish the doors to be shut up. Now 
prepare, and take care of matters within ! See that every 
thing be done which is necessary ! Put down the couches, 
and burn incense. [Exit Cylindrus.] Neatness is a charm 
to the mind of lovers. Our pleasantness, however, is to the 

* Sultis, put for, si vultis : navales pedes, the oars of a ship, put for the ship itself. 



MEN^ECHMI. 



75 



lover a calamity, and to us is an advantage. [She looks about,'] 
But where is he, who the Cook says is before the doors? 
And behold him, I see the man who is of use to me, and 
very much gratifies me. It is done to him in the same way 
as he deserves, and that too of my own accord, that he may 
be of greatest consequence at my house. Now I will go up 
to him, and speak to him with delight. [She goes up to him.] 
My dear life, these things seem wonderful to me, that you are 
standing here at the doors, to whom these doors must always 
lie open, more than your own house, since this house must 
be always yours. Every thing is prepared as you ordered, 
and as you chose, nor have you any delay within ; the 
dinner, as you commanded, has been got ready within; and 
when it pleases you, we may go and recline at table. — Men. 
[Looking round.] With whom is this woman talking? — Ero. 
With you indeed. — Men. What communication had you ever 
with me, or what business now ? — Ero. Because truly Venus 
was willing, that you alone of all men should exalt me ; and 
that was not without great merit of yours. For indeed, 
you by your kindnesses make me flourishing. — Men. [Aside 
to Messenio.] For certain, Messenio, this woman is either 
mad, or drunk, who can address me, a man unknown to her, 
so familiarly. — Mess. Have not I told you, that those things 
used to happen here ? The leaves first are now falling on 
you, however, if we shall be here these three days, then the 
trees will fall on you ! For in this way all these harlots are 
coaxers, and eager for the money. But suffer me awhile to 
address this woman ! [He goes near her.] Harkye, my wo- 
man! I am speaking to you. — Ero. What is it? — Mess. 
Where have you known this man ? — Ero. In the same place 
where he has known me for a long time, in Epidamnum. — 
Mess. In Epidamnum ! him, who never till this day put his 
foot into this city hither, within it. — Ero. Heighday! you 
are making pleasantries. [She turns to Menjechmus.] My 
Mensechmus, my dear, but do you not go within my house? 
[She points to her door.] To go in here will be more proper for 
you. — Men. Verily this woman calls me rightly by my own 
name ; I very much wonder what business this can be. — 
Mess. [Aside to Menjechmus.] That purse that you hold, 
has been smelt out by her. — Men. Now in truth you have 
hinted to me well. Take this awhile; [he hands the purse 



76 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

privately to Messenio.] Now I shall know, whether she can 
love me rather, or the purse. — Ero. [Approaching him.'] Let 
us now go in, that we may dine ! — Men. You invite me 
agreeably, and it is so great a favour! — Ero. [In swprise.] 
Why therefore have you ordered me awhile ago to cook a 
dinner for you? — Men. Have I ordered you to cook a din- 
ner ? — Ero. Certainly, for you, and your Parasite. — Men. 
Curse on it, what Parasite ? [aside] certainly this woman is 
not very sane in mind ! — Ero. Peniculus. — Men. Who is 
that Peniculus ? is it the Peniculus with which my shoes 
will be wiped ? # — Ero. In truth it is he, who came with you 
just now, when you brought me the cloak, which you stole 
from your wife. — Men. What is it? have I given you a 
cloak that I stole from my wife? Are you in your senses ? 
[To Messenio.] Surely this woman is fast asleep, standing 
up in the manner of a horse ! — Ero. On what account does 
it please you to hold me in ridicule, and to deny to me 
things that happened ? — Men. Tell me what is that, which I 
may deny, and that I can have done ! — Ero. That you this 
day gave me your wife's cloak ! — Men. I deny now even 
that. In truth I never at any time had a wife, nor have I 
now; nor ever put my foot hither within the gate, since I 
was born ! I have dined in the ship. From thence I went 
out hither, and have met you. — Ero. [Clapping her hands.] 
See now ! I am an undone and wretched woman! what ship 
are you now talking of to me? — Men. A ship made of 
timber. — Ero. My dear, leave off' now to make sports, and 
go this way along with me. [Points to her door.] — Men. My 
good woman, you are seeking some other man, I know not 
whom, and not me ! — Ero. Have I not known you, Menaech- 
mus, the son of your father Moschus ? who used to say he 
was born at Syracuse in Sicily? — Mess. [Aside to Menjech- 
mus.] Whether has that woman come from thence, who has 
known you so craftily? — Men. I think indeed, she cannot be 
refused Mess. You must not have done so ! You have pe- 
rished, if you shall have entered within her threshold ! — Men. 
Pray, hold your tongue now! The affair is carried on well. 
I will assent to the woman, whatever she shall say ; if I 
can but get hospitable entertainment. [Turning to Ero- 
tium.] Just now I opposed you, not unwise in that; [in a 

* Alluding to the word Peniculus, that means a Linen-cloth. 



MEN^CHMI. 77 

low voice to her] for I was afraid of him, [points at Messenio] 
lest he should carry word to my wife about the cloak and 
the dinner! Now, when you choose, let us go in! — Ero. Are 
you to wait now for the Parasite? — Men. I neither wait for 
him, nor care about him ; nor, if he shall have come, do I 
wish him to be admitted. — Ero. Laa, now ! I shall willingly 
have taken care of that ! But do you know what I will love 
you to do? — Men. Order me anything in anyway! — Ero. 
That you may carry down that cloak, which you had lately 
given me, to Phrygia, that it may be trimmed again, and 
that some workings may be added, which I am fond of. — 
Men. Certainly now you speak rightly. In that way it will 
be disguised, so that my wife may not know that you have 
it, if she shall have seen it in the street. — Ero. Therefore, 
by-and-by, take it away with you, when you shall go away ! 
— Men. Certainly. — Ero. Let us go in-doors ! — Men. I will 
follow you now. I want to speak with this man a little. 
[Exit Erotium into her house.'] Harkye, Messenio, come 
hither! — Mess. [Going up to him.] What business is it? — 
Men. Hist ! do you wish to know ? — Mess. What is it now 
therefore 1—Men. [In a low voice.] It is necessary. — Mess. 
What is necessary? — Men. I know how you will speak to 
me. — Mess. You are so much the more faulty. — Men. I have 
the prey! I have begun so much of the business. Go as 
fast as you can, and conduct away those servants imme- 
diately into the tavern of the Inn. Then mind that you come 
to meet me* before the setting of the sun. — Mess. Master, 
have you not known those harlots? — Men. [With astern 
voice.] Be silent, I say ! it will pain me, not you, if I shall 
have done any thing foolishly. This woman is silly and un- 
skilled, as far as I have seen just now. Here is a prize for 
me ! — Mess. Go now, and be ruined ! — Men. Do you not go 
away now? [Exit Men^chmus into Erotium's house.] — 
Mess. [Looking after him till the door is shut.] He has perished 
in truth ! The pirate-ship is towing the cock-boat swamped ! 
But I am a fool, who can require myself to direct my master. 
He bought me, as one obedient to his word, and not as a 
commander to him. [He turns and speaks to the servants stand- 
ing behind.] Follow me, ye two, that I may come, as was 
ordered, to meet my master early in the evening ! [Exit 
Messenio at the back scene, the two servants following hirn.~\ 



78 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

ACTUS TERTIUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 
Enter Pen iculus from the back scene, and advances. 

Pen. I am now more than thirty years born, when in the 
mean time I never did any worse deed, nor a more nefarious 
one, than to-day, when I thrust myself miserably into the 
middle of the full assembly. Where, as I am staring about, 
Menaechmus stole himself away from me, and went ofTtohis 
mistress, as I believe, and was not willing to carry me there. 
But may all the gods sink that man, who first devised an as- 
sembly of citizens, and by this business employs men already 
employed. Was it not proper, that idle men should be 
chosen to that affair? who, when they may be cited, unless 
they were to be present, must pay a fine outright. There is 
plenty of men, who eat their several meals every day, and 
who have no business at all ; who are neither invited to eat, 
nor invite any one. It behoves those men to attend to the 
meeting, and to the assemblies. If that were so, I should 
not this day have lost my dinner ; I, to whom, I believe that 
I wished to have a dinner given, as much as I see myself 
alive. I will go now, [/te steps towards Erotium's house] 
for still the hope of the remains of the dinner delights my 
mind ! [The door of Erotium's house is opened.] 'But what? 
do I see Menaechmus ? He is going out of doors with a 
chaplet ! The feast is removed ! Certainly I come in bad 
season, [ife steps back.] 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter from Erotium's house Menjechmus Sosicles. He 
turns about, and speaks to her within, having a chaplet on his 
head, and the woman's cloak upon him. 

Men. May you not be satisfied, if I shall bring you back 
early in the evening, this cloak nicely and cleverly trimmed 
up ? I will have caused that you shall say, it is not it, as it 
shall be so altered. [He goes to the front, and the door is shut.] 



MEN^ECHMI. 79 

■ — Pen. [Behind.] He is carrying the cloak to Phrygia, his 
dinner being over, and the wine drank up, and the Parasite 
being shut out of doors ! Verily, I am not that man that I 
am, if I shall not have avenged this injury, and myself also 
handsomely. I will observe what he may be about, and 
afterward will go up to the man, and speak to him. — Men, 
[To himself.] O immortal gods, to what man have you ever 
given more good in one day, and who cannot have hoped 
for it. [Tivo lines omitted.] — Pen. I cannot hear what he is 
saying privately to himself. Satiated with eating he is now 
speaking of me, and my condition. 4 — Men. [Continuing.] She 
says that I gave this to her [handles the cloak] and had stole 
it from my wife ; but I saw that she was wrong. I began 
though to assent at once, as if my transaction were so with 
her. Whatever the woman had said, I said the same. What 
need is there of many words ? I no where have been well off, 
with so little expense. — Pen. [Behind.] I will go up to the 
man ; for I delight to disturb him. [He comes up familiarly 
close to him.] — Men. [Staring at him.] Who is this, that comes 
against me ! [moves off from him a step or two.] — Pen. What 
do you say, thou man lighter than a feather, most vile and 
iniquitous, a curse of a man, a cheat, and of no value? 
What have I deserved of you, wherefore you should destroy 
me ? How you stole yourself away from me just now from 
the Forum ! You inflicted death upon the dinner, I being 
absent! Why have you dared to do so with that, to which 
I was equally entitled. — Men. Young man, I beg to know, 
what business you have with me, who in ignorance can abuse 
me, a man unknown to you ? Do you wish, that punishment 
be given to you for your bad words afterward ? — Pen. I un- 
derstand that you indeed have given that already truly. — 
Men. Answer me, young man, 1 beg ; what is your name ? 
— Pen. Do you also laugh at me, as if you may not have 
known my name ? — Men. In truth I never saw you, as far as 
I may know, before this day, nor have known you. But 
surely whoever you are, if you may behave yourself, you can- 
not be hateful to me. — Pen. [Staring at him.] Have you not 
known me ? — Men. I may not deny it, if I may have known 
you ! — Pen. Mensechmus, awake from sleep ! — Men. I am 
awake really and truly, as far as I may know. — Pen. Have 
you not known your Parasite ?— Men. Young man, your head 



80 M. ACC1I PLAUTI 

is not sound as I understand. — Pen. Answer me, have you 
not stole that cloak to-day from your wife, and given it to 
Erotium ? — Men. I neither in truth have a wife, nor have I 
given a cloak to Erotium, nor have I stole it. — Pen. Are you 
sufficiently sound in mind ? This affair is now decided. 
Have I not seen you go out of doors, drest in that cloak? — 
Men. Woe to that head of yours ! You think that all men 
are jugglers, because you are one. Do you say that I was 
dressed as to that cloak? — Pen. I say so truly and verily. 
— Men. Why don't you march off with yourself where you 
are worthy to go ? or why do you not order yourself to be 
purified, O thou most insane man ? — Pen. No one shall pre- 
vail on me ever truly, but that I will tell all the affair to your 
wife now immediately, how it may have been carried on. All 
those injuries shall fall upon you. I will have caused, that 
you shall have eaten your dinner not unpunished. [ExitPE- 
niculus into MenjEchmus Surreptus's house.] — Men. 
[After a pause.] What is this business ? Do I see any one 
clearly, these people so make fun of me ! [He looks at Ero- 
tinm's door.] But the door has creaked ! 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter a Maidservant from Erotium 's house, and goes up to 
Mencechmus, holding a buckle in her hand. 

Maid. Erotium says, that she would love you much, if you 
can convey this at the same opportunity to the goldsmith, 
and that you must add an ounce weight of gold, and order 
this buckle to be fashioned again quite new. — Men. Tell her 
that I will attend to both that, and any thing else, whatever 
she shall like, if she shall wish any thing to be minded. — 
Maid. Do you know what this buckle may be? [She gives it 
into his hand.] — Men. I know not unless it be made of gold. 
— Maid. This is it, which you said formerly, that you had 
stole from your wife secretly out of her closet. — Men. Never 
indeed was it done by me. — Maid. Do you not remember it, 
I beseech you? Give me back the buckle therefore, if you 
do not remember it. — Men. Wait. [He looks at the buckle most 
minutely.] Yes, indeed, I remember it. Now certainly this 
is it, which I gave her! — Maid. That very one. — Men. 



JVIENiECHMI. 81 

Where are those bracelets* which I gave along with it. — 
Maid. You never ^ave any. — Men. Certainly now I gave 
this along with them. — Maid. Shall I say that you will take 
care of it ? — Men. Say so ; it shall be taken care of. I will 
cause that both cloak and buckle be brought back together. 
— Maid. My Mensechmus, my dear, grant that my ears may 
be furnished, in respect to pendants of a weight of two 
pieces, that I may see you with pleasure, when you will have 
come to us ! — Men. Let it be so ! Give me the gold ; I will 
give, myself, the workmanship price. — Maid. Give it, I beg, 
from yourself, and I will have returned it to you afterward. 
— Men. But truly now give it from yourself! — Maid. I will 
give you double afterward. — Men. I have it not ! — Maid. 
But you, when you shall have it, then give it ! Do you want 
me as to any thing more ? — Men. Say that I will take care of 
these, that as soon as possible, and whenever they can be, 
they may be even fit for sale. [Exit the Maid-servant into 
EnoTiuM's^oMse.] — Men. Has she gone away in-doors? [He 
looks about.'] She has gone away. She has shut the doors ! 
Certainly all the gods assist, and give me prosperity, and 
love me ! — But why do I delay, while opportunity and time 
are given me, to depart from these profligate places ? Hasten, 
Menaechmus, and run away, and give a quick step ! I will 
take off my garland, and throw it to the left side, that if any 
one may follow, they may think that I have gone off this 
way. I will go, and meet my servant, if I shall be able, that 
he may know from me these advantages, which the gods give 
me. [Exit at the back scene.] 



ACTUS QUARTUS. 
SCENA PRIMA. 



Enter the Wife ofMENiECHMus SuRREPTUs/rom her 
house, and Peniculus. 

Wife. Shall I suffer myself to be here in wedlock, when 
my husband can plunder secretly whatever is at home, and 
carry it away to his mistress ? — Pen. But do you now be 



82 M. ACC1I PLAUTI 

silent ! I will have caused, that you shall catch him in a 
manner openly seen. Follow me now. [They go to the op- 
posite side.] He was tipsy with a garland on him, and was 
carrying the cloak to Phrygia, which he stole from you to- 
day in the house. [He sees the garland on the ground.] But 
behold that garland which he had ! Now am I telling 
falsities ? Aha ! he went oft" this way ! [He points to the side 
scene, near the garland.] If you wish to follow him in his 
steps ! [he looks towards the back scene.] And now, Ods-bobs ! 
behold him, he is returning most opportunely ! But he does 
not bring the cloak. — Wife. What shall I now do with him? 
— Pen. The same that you always did, scold him. — Wife. So 
1 think. — Ven. Let us step aside hither. [They retire on one 
side.] Listen to him from an ambush ! 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter from the back scene Men;echmus Surbepti s, and 
advances to the front. 

Men. How foolish a custom we greatly practise here, and 
vastly troublesome ! And every one the best and greatest 
have this way with them ! They all wish to themselves a 
great many clients. [Fifteen lines omitted.] Forasmuch as a 
certain client to-day kept hold of me, who was too solicitous 
about him, nor was it possible in any way to do what I 
wished, he so employed me, he so detained me! [Eight lines 
omitted.] May all the gods destroy him, for he has spoilt this 
whole day to me, and me also, who looked at alL to-day at 
the Forum ! 1 have spoilt my day ! I ordered an excellent 
dinner to be prepared. My mistress waits for me, I know. 
When first it was possible, I instantly hastened to get away 
from the Forum. She is angry with me now I believe. The 
cloak will appease her, which I gave, and which I took 
away from my wife to-day, and carried off to this Erotium. 
Pen. [To the wife aside.] What do you say now ? — Wife. That 
I am badly married to a vile husband. — Pen. Do you hear 
perfectly what he says? — Wife. Entirely. — Men. [In front.] 
If I were wise, I must go hence in-doors, where it can be 
pleasant to me. [He goes towards the door of Erotium' s house, 
and his wife calls out to him.] Wife. Stop ! or it shall be bad 



MEN^CHMI. 83 

for you else ! Truly indeed you took away that cloak with 
profit to yourself, hi that way it is given. Do you think 
that you can do those wicked crimes secretly ? Men. [Turn- 
ing round with indifference.'] What is that business ? — Wife. 
Do you ask me that ? — Men. Do you wish that I may ask 
him? — Pen. Take away your fine talkings hence ! [To her.] 
Go at him thou ! — Men. [To hisivife.] Why are you afflicted 
with me ? — Wife. It behoves you to know. — Pen. He knows, 
but in his iniquity dissembles. — Men. What business is this? 
— Wife. [Rapping her fan on her hand.] As to the cloak ! — 
Men. [In seeming surprise.] The cloak? — Wife. [Shaking her 
fan at him.] How do you say as to the cloak? — Pen. [To 
him.] Why are you alarmed now ? — Men. I am alarmed at 
nothing but one thing. The cloak gives me a cloak of 
paleness. # — Pen. But you should not have eaten your din- 
ner secretly from me ! [To her.] Go on against your husband. 
Men. [Sternly to him.] Do you not hold your peace? — Pen. 
Verily and truly I do not hold my peace. [To her.] He nods 
at me that I may not speak ! — Men. I do not verily and truly 
ever nod at all, nor wink at you. — Wife. Dear me ! truly I 
am a wretched woman ! [She weeps.] — Men. How are you 
miserable ? explain to me. — Pen. Nothing is more audacious 
than this man, who denies those things which you see your- 
self ! — Men. I swear by Jupiter and all the gods, wife, and 
is this sufficient for you, that I have not nodded at him. — 
Pen. She believes you now about those things. But return 
to that place again ! — Men. Where may I return ? — Pen. In 
truth to Phrygia, I am of opinion ; go, and bring back the 
cloak ! — Men. What cloak is that? — Wife. I am silent now, 
when he does not remember his own business. — Men. [To 
her.] Has any one of the servants done wrong? Do the 
maids, or the servants answer you saucily ? Speak out to 
me ! It shall not be unpunished. — Pen. You are trifling ! 
— Men. [To her who is in tears.] You are very sorrowful, 
that does not please me much. — Pen. You are trifling now ! — 
Men. But are you angry with some one of your acquaintances ? 
— Pen. You are trifling again ! — Men. Are you angry with 
me at least ? — Pen. Now you are not trifling. — Men. I have 
not in truth done wrong as to any thing. — Pen. Aha ! now 
again you are trifling ! — Men. Tell me, my wife, what is 

* A pun of Plautus evidently, in the words, " Palla Pallorem." 



84 M. ACC1I PLAU-TI 

grievous to you? — Pen. [To her.'] Complaisant now he is 
wheedling you. — Men. [To him.] Is it possible you cannot 
be troublesome to me? Do I speak to you? [He turns and 
reaches out his hand to his wife.] — Wife. Take away your 
hand! — Pen. Thus now the story is told ! Hasten thou, I 
being absent, to eat up the dinner ; and afterward before 
the house drunk, deride me with a garland on your head. — 
Men. In truth I have neither dined, nor have set my foot 
inside a house hither this day. — Pen. Do you deny it? — 
Men. I do deny it truly and verily ! — Pen. Nothing is more 
audacious than this man. Have I not seen you awhile ago 
stand here before the house with a garland of flowers ? at a 
time too when you did deny that my head was sound ? And 
vou did deny also that you knew me ! You did say that you 
were a stranger! — Men. Moreover, as lately I parted from 
you, so at last I am now returning to the house. — Pen. I 
have known you. You did not think it was in my power to 
punish you. I told all things indeed to your wife.— Men. 
What have you told her ? — Pen. I know not. Ask her your- 
self. — Men. [To her.] What is this, wife? what has he nar- 
rated to you? what is it? but do you not say what it can 
be? — Wife. As if you can be ignorant. A cloak was stolen 
from me in my house ! — Men. Was a cloak stolen from vou? 

— Wife. Do you ask me? — Men. Now I need not ask, if 1 
may know it. — Pen. O the vile man ! how he dissembles ! 
You cannot conceal it ! I have known the affair well. In 
truth I have told all things out. — Men. What is it? — Wife. 
Since it shames you not, and you are not willing to confess 
it yourself voluntarily, hear me, and attend ! and I will 
cause you to know, why I am sad, and what he may have 
told me. My cloak was stolen from home ; — Men. [Inter- 
rupting.] Was a cloak stolen from you ? — Pen. [To her.] Do 
you see how the nefarious man takes you up? [To him.] It 
was taken from her, you need not say from you. Now truly 
if it had been stolen from you, Menaechmus, it would have 
been safe ! — Men. [To him.] I have nothing to do with you ! 
[To her.] But what are you saying ? — Wife. A cloak, I say, 
is lost from my house. — Men. Who stole it? — Wife. In truth 
he knows that, who took it away ! — Men. Who is this man ? 

— Wife. A certain man, by name Menaechmus ! — Men. 
Verily it was done nefariously ! Who is that Menaechmus ? 



MEN^ECHMI. 85 

— Wife. Thou art he, I say.— Men. Is it 1 1—Wife. Thou.— 
Men. Who accuses me? — Wife. I myself! — Pen. And I! 
and you carried it off to your mistress, Erotium. — Men. 
Have I given it her ? — Pen. You, you are he, I say ! Do you 
wish an owl to be brought, which may say to you con- 
stantly, You, You /* For we already are tired out ! — Men. 
By Jupiter and all the gods, I swear to you, wife, and this 
is enough for you, that I have not given it ! — Pen. Yea, truly 
and certainly, we are not used to speak falsely. — Men. But 
I have not bestowed that cloak, but only gave it to be made 
use of! — Wife. Truly and really I neither give your coat out 
of doors, nor your gown to be used by any one ! It is right 
that a woman only may give women's clothes out of doors, 
a man, man's apparel. But do you not bring back my cloak 
home ? — Men. I will cause that it shall be brought back. — 
Wife. You will have done it, as I think, for your own ad- 
vantage, for home you shall never enter, unless you shall 
bring my cloak at the same time. — Men. Shall I never enter 
my house 1—Pen. [To her.~] What is to happen to me, who 
have given this attendance on you? — Wif e.Youx attention 
shall be repaid to you, when any thing shall be stolen from 
your house ! [Exit the Wife into her own house, and claps the 
door after her in a fury. ~] — Pen. That indeed and in truth 
never will be, for I have nothing at home, that I can lose. 
May the Gods destroy you both, as well the husband as the 
wife ! I will hasten to the Forum, for I plainly understand 
that I have fallen off from this family ! [Exit Peniculus 
at the back scene.] Men. [Solus.~] My wife thinks that I have 
acted badly towards her, when she thus shuts the doors 
against me ! as if I may not have another better place, 
where I can be admitted. [He looks at his door.~] If I dis- 
please you, good wife, it is to be borne. But I shall cer- 
tainly have pleased this Erotium, who will not shut me out 
from her, but will shut me up at home with herself ! Now I 
will go, and ask her, that she may give me back the cloak, 
which I gave her a short time since. I will get another for 
her, and a better. [He goes to Erotium's door.~\ Hillo ! 
who is doorkeeper here? [Knocks gently. ~\ Open ye the door, 
and some of you call out Erotium before the door ! 

[He retires a few paces.] 

* Plautus has made the cry of the screech-owl resemble, Tu, Tu ! 

N 



86 M. ACCII PLAUTl 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter Erotium from her House. 

Ero. [Looking about, ,] Who seeks me here ? — Men. An 
enemy to himself more than to your beauty ! [He advances 
to her.] — Ero. My Menaschmus, why do you stand now 
before the house ? Follow me in-doois ! [She goes towards her 
door.] — Men. Wait ! do you know what it is that I come to 
you about ? Truly and indeed as to that cloak, my dear, 
which I gave you awhile ago, give it back to me again ! 
Myjwife has found out all the affair, how it was done in every 
particular. I will get for you a cloak of twice as much more 
value, which you will like. — Ero. In truth I gave you that 
cloak, that you might carry it to Phrygia, but shortly before 
this! and also that buckle to carry it to the Goldsmith, that 
it might be made new! — Men. Do you say, that you can 
have given me the cloak and a buckle? It was never done. 
Recollect the matter. For I truly, after I gave that cloak to 
you awhile ago, and departed to the Forum, am now returning 
from thence, and see you now for the first time after those 
transactions. — Ero. I see what affair you are at! It is now, 
that you may defraud me, because I trusted those things to 
you. At that business you are aiming ! — Men. I do not re- 
quire it indeed for the sake of defrauding you, but I say to 
you, that my w r ife has discovered the matter. — Ero. I have 
not of my own accord beg'd of you that you would give it 
me. You yourself brought it to me voluntarily ; you gave 
it as a gift to me. Now you ask the same back again. I 
will suffer it. Keep it to yourself; carry it away and use it, 
either yourself or your wife, or even thrust it into your eyes 
both of you ! You shall not put a foot hither inside my doors 
after this day, be certain of it, since you hold in contempt 
me, so well deserving towards you! Unless you shall bring 
money, in vain you try, and cannot wheedle me ! Find some 
other woman hereafter, whom you may keep in disappoint- 
ment. [She ivalks stately into her house.] — Men. Truly at 
length angrily indeed! [He calk after tar]*harkye thou! I 
say to you, wait now ! Comeback! [She returns.] — Ero. Are 
you still standing here? Do you dare still to return for my 
\your ? [Exit into her house in a rage, and claps the door after 



MENjECHMI. 87 

her.]— Men. [After a pause, and looking at the door.] She has 
gone away in-doors, and shut up the house ! Now am I a 
man most sadly excluded. Neither have I any credit now 
at home, nor with my mistress ! I will go, and consult my 
friends as to this affair, what they may think should be done. 
[Exit Men^echmus at the back scene.] 



ACTUS QU1NTUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Ewto'MENiECHMUs Sosicles at the back scene, with the cloak 
on, that he got from Erotium. 

Men. I acted too foolishly awhile since, when I trusted 
my purse with money in it, to Messenio. I believe he has 
plunged himself somewhere into a brothel. [He walks to the 
front, leans his head on his hand, and meditates.] 
Enter from her house the wife of Men^chmus Surreptus. 

Wife. I will go forth to see, how soon my husband may re- 
turn home. But behold, I see him ! I am safe ; he brings back 
the cloak, I see. — Men. [Walking in front.] I wonder where 
Messenio can now be walking! — Wife. I will go up to him, 
and receive the man with such words as he deserves. [She ad- 
vances, and stands alongside of him.] Does it not shame you to 
go forth into my sight, thou villain of a man, with that or- 
nament on you ? — Men. [Amazed.] What is it? What affair 
agitates you, good woman? — Wife. You impudent man, do 
you even dare to mutter one word, or to speak with me ? — 
Men. What at length have I committed, that I may not dare 
to speak? — Wife. Do you ask me now? [Claps her hands.] O 
the impudent audacity of the man! — Men. Do you not know, 
woman, why the Greeks used to say, that Hecuba was a 
bitch-dog? — Wife. I do not know indeed. — Men. Because 
Hecuba used to do the same thing which you are now doing. 
She heaped all imprecations on whomsoever she had seen. 
And therefore properly she began to be called a bitch — Wife. 
I cannot suffer those crimes ! For I can have rather, that I 
was a widow for an age, than to surfer those vile crimes of 



88 M. ACCll PLAUTI 

yours, which you commit. — Men. What is it to me, whether 
you can suffer yourself to be a married woman, or may be 
in away of departure from your husband ? Whether is it the 
custom thus here, that they must tell their stories to a stranger 
arriving ? — Wife. What stories ? I say, I will not be in suf- 
ferings any farther, but will live in separation, rather than I 
will put up with your evil ways. — Men. Truly, and indeed, 
live as a widow for aught I care, even as long as Jupiter 
shall hold his kingdom! — Wife. But did you deny to me 
awhile ago that you had stole the cloak, and now you have 
the same before my eyes ? [Shakes her fan at him.} Whether 
does it shame you of this ? — Men. Why verily, woman, you 
are exceedingly audacious, and bad ! Do you dare to say 
that this was stole from you, which another woman gave me, 
that I should get it trimmed up ? — Wife. Truly as to that, by 
my stars I will now call my father, and will relate to him 
your bad crimes, which you commit. [She calls to a servant 
in her house.] Go, Decio, seek for my father, that he may 
come to me along with you ! So say, that the matter is ! 
[She turns to Menhchmus.] I will now expose those wicked 
deeds of yours. — Men. Are you in your senses? What wicked 
deeds of mine? — Wife. When you plunder my cloak and my 
gold, from your wife in her house, and carry it away to your 
mistress ! Do I say these things pretty right? — Men. I beg 
truly, woman, if you know, shew me what I may drink, with 
which I may be able to bear your petulance. I know not 
what man you judge me to be. — Wife. If you deride me, in 
fact however you are not able to deride him ; my father who 
is coming hither! [She looks at the back sce?ie.~\ But do you 
not look back ? [Men jechmus looks back.] Have you known 
him ? — Men. I have known him at the same time with Chal- 
cas. I have seen him on the same day in which I saw you, 
before this time ! — Wife. Do you deny that you have known 
me? Do you deny that you have known my father? — Men. 
By Hercules I will say that same thing, if you wish even to 
bring your grandfather here! — Wife. By my stars you do 
this in the same manner, as you are used to do other things. 
[They stand at the front, apart from each other.} 



menjEChmi. 89 



SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter from the back scene, an Old Gentleman, slowly hobbling 
with a stick; he advances a few steps and stops leaning on his 
stick, and talks to himself. 

Old Man. As well as my time of life is, and forasmuch as 
there is necessity for this being done, I will step for- 
ward, and hurry now to get on ; but as to that matter how 
easy it be for me, I am not deceived in the thing. For agi- 
lity forsakes me, and I am beset with old age ; I bear a body 
weighed down ; my powers have left me ; as age is an un- 
happy circumstance, so it is a bad commodity also on my 
back ; in fact it brings very many and very bad things with 
it, when it comes ; all of which were I to enumerate, my 
speech were too long. But this thing is uneasy to me in 
my heart and mind ; what this business can be, that my 
daughter so suddenly seeks for me to go to her ! Nor does 
she make it more known to me what it may be, or what she 
may want, or why she may call me. But now I nearly know 
what business it may be ; I believe that some quarrel has 
sprung up, with her husband. [Six lines omitted.*] But 
whatever it is, 1 now shall know it. [He looks up towards the 
front of the stage.] And behold, I see herself before her house, 
and her husband sorrowful ! It is that, which I was suspect- 
ing. I will address her. [He hobbles towards the front.] — 
Wife. I will go to meet my father. [She meets him.] Health 
to you much, my father ! — Old Man. May you be well, and in 
health! Do I come to you to have a salute? Do you order me 
to be called for a salutation ? Why are you sorrowful ? But 
why has he [points to Men.] stood away from you in anger? Ye 
have been bickering between you two, I know not why ! Speak 
in a few words, which of the two has incurred the blame ! Let 
me have no long speeches. — Wife. I have indeed by no means 
been in fault in any way. This first I am to allege, father. 
Truly I cannot live here, nor continue in any way. And for 
that reason you must carry me away from hence I— Old Man. 
But what is that ? — Wife. I am held as a laughing-stock here, 
father ! — Old Man. By whom ? — Wife. By him, to whom you 

* In this translation, lines are sometimes omitted on account of tediousness. 



90 M. ACCll PLAUTI 

gave rae up, my husband. — Old Man. Now behold, here is 
a quarrelling ! How often have I told you at length that you 
should be cautious, and that neither of you should come to 
me with a complaint! — Wife. How can I guard against that, 
my father?— Old Man. Do you ask me that? — Wife. Unless 
you do not like it. — Old Man. How often have I instructed 
you, that you must comply with your husband? that you 
must never observe what he may do, where he may go, and 
what things he may carry on ? — Wife. But now going hence, 
he loves a harlot near at hand ! — Old Man. He is very wise ! 
on account of that pains-taking, I shall cause that he shall 
love her still the more. — Wife. And he drinks there. — Old 
Man. Will he drink less in truth for your sake, whether it 
shall please him there or elsew r here ? A curse ! what is this 
shamelessness ? at the same time you can desire to hinder 
him, so that he may not go forth to supper, and that he may 
not receive any stranger at your house. Do you require men 
to be slaves to you ? Can you demand at the same time to 
give them their task ? May you order them to sit among the 
maids, and to card wool? — Wife. Truly, father, I find, I 
have not brought you here as an advocate forme, but for my 
husband. You stand upon one side, and plead the cause on 
the other. — Old Man. If he may have done wrong in any way, 
I will accuse him so much the more excessively, than I have 
accused you. Now, since he keeps you adorned with gold, 
and well clothed, and affords you properly maid-servants and 
provisions, it is better for you, woman, to assume a sober 
mind. — Wife. But he robs my gold, and my'cloak, out of my 
chests awhile ago. He plunders me, and bears away my or- 
naments, unknown to me, to his harlots. — Old Man. He does 
badly, if he does that ; if he does not do it, you act badly- 
who can falsely accuse him, when innocent. — Wife. But even 
at this moment he has the cloak, father, and the buckle which 
he had carried down to her. Now he brings it back, because I 
have found out the matter. — Old Man. I will now know from 
him, if it happened. I will go to the man, and speak to him. 
[He hobbles to the front, ivhere Menjechmus has been for some 
time standing.] Tell me, Menaechmus, what ye both are de- 
bating, that I may know it! Why are you sad ? But why do 
you put aside from you that woman, who is angry? — Men. 
Whoever you are, and whatsoever is your name, old man, I 



MENiECHMI. 91 

call to witness highestJove and the gods.- Old Man. [Inter- 

rupting] Concerning what business, or what matter of all 
matters ? — Men. That I have not done wrong to that woman, 
who accuses me [holds out a piece of his cloak] that I have 
stolen this from her in her house, and swears that I took it 
away. If I have ever set my foot within her house where she 
dwells, I wish that I may become the most miserable of all 
miserable men ! — Old Man. Are you in your senses, who can 
w T ish for that, or deny that you ever set foot into that house, 
[pointing to it] where you yourself dwell, thou. most insane of 
men ? — Men. Do you say, old man, that I dwell in that house? 
— Old Man. Do you deny it? — Men. I do deny it, in truth 
indeed ! — Wife. You deny these things very impudently, ex- 
cept where you went out from this night !— Old Man. [To the 
wife.] Go aside this way, daughter ! [she steps aside.] [To Me- 
nachus.] What do you say? have you gone out from hence? 
[Points to the door.] — Men. Into what place, or for what bu- 
siness, prithee? — Old Man. In truth I do not know. — Wife. 
Indeed he is deluding you! — Old Man. [Turning to her.] 
Don't you keep yourself quiet? [ToMenjechmus.] Verily 
now, Mensechmus, you have joked long enough. Now mind 
this business! Men. I ask what have I of business with 
you? From whence, or what man are you? What have I 
done to you, or in fact to her, who is troublesome to 
me in such a manner? [Men mc hm\js begins to glare with his eyes 
and make faces.] — Wife. Do you see that his eyes are growing 
green ? how a green colour rises from his temples and fore- 
head 1 how his eyes strike fire ! See there ! Men. [ Aside.] 
What is better for me, than since they declare me to be mad, 
I may pretend that I am insane, that I may frighten them 
away from me? [He turns, and yawns, and stretches, and howls.] 
- — Wife. How he yawns, stretching himself! What shall I 
do now, my father? — Old Man. [Retreating as fast as he can 
hobble.] Go away hither, my daughter, the farthest that you 
possibly can away from him ! — Men. [ Throwing his arms about, 
and yelling loud.] Evoe, Evie, Bromie Bacche, where do you 
call me into the wood to hunt? I hear you, but 1 cannot go 
away from these places, that ravenous bitch-dog so holds me 
on the left hand ! But behind is that other old he-goat, who 
has often in his time destroyed an innocent citizen with false 
testimony. — Old Man. [Lifting his hands and eyes.] Woe to 
your wretched head ! — Men. Lo ! Apollo commands me from 



92 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

his Oracle, that I should burn that bitch's eyes out with 
burning torches ! [Hepoints his finger at her, and makes grimaces.] 

— Wife. [Running to her father.] 1 have perished, my father ! 
He threatens to burn my eyes out. — Men. [ Aside.] Alas me ! 
They say that I am mad, when they themselves are mad of 
their own accord! — Old Man. Harkye ! daughter UV/fe. 
What is it ? what do we do ?— Old Man. What if I call out 
the servants here? I will go and bring out those, who may 
take him away from hence, and tie him down at home, before 
he can make any more disturbances ! — Men. [Aside.] Now 
verily, unless I lay hold of some plan for myself, they will 
carry me off home to them! [Aloud.] Do you forbid me, 
O Apollo, to spare my fists in any way, on this bitch's face? 
Unless instantly she may get out of my sight, I will do what 
you order, to her abominable and great destruction ! [He puts 
his arms in a pugilistic attitude.] — Old Man. Fly hence, 
daughter, as fast as you can, lest he may knock you down ! 

— Wife. I fly away ! but, my dear father, keep him here, 
that he may not go off any where hence ! Am I not a 
wretched woman, who hear those things? [Exit Wife in haste 
into her house.] — Men. [Aside.] I have well got rid of her. 
Now I will remove away this most vile, bearded, shaking old 
Tithonus, sprung from his father Cygnus. [Calls aloud.] O 
Apollo, do you command me thus, that I shall break his 
limbs, and bones, and joints, w T ith that very walking stick, 
which he himself holds ? [He moves toicards the Old Gentle- 
man.] — Old Man. [Retreating.] You shall suffer for it if you 
shall have touched me, or if you shall have approached nearer 
to me! — Men. [Vociferating icildly.] Apollo, I will do what 
you order. I will take a two-edged axe, and bone this old 
man, and then I will chop his bowels piecemeal ! — Old Man. 
[Aside.] Verily now that must be guarded against, and taken 
care of by me. Seriously now I am afraid of him, as he 
threatens, lest he shall have done any harm to me ! — Men. 
[Jumping and raising his arms.] Apollo, you command me 
many things. Now you order me to take the yoked horses 
unbroke, and fierce, and to mount into the chariot, that I 
may bruise down this old Geetulian lion, stinking and 
toothless ! [Jumps upwards.] I have now mounted into the 
car, and now I hold the reins ; now the lash is in my hand. 
Get on, ye horses, make the sounds of your hoofs appear in 
swift galloping. Cause the velocity of your feet to be bent 



MENJECHMI. 93 

towards him. [Points at him.] — Old Man. Do you now 
threaten me with your yoked horses ? Men. Lo ! Apollo, 
lastly you order me to make a rush upon him who stands 
there, and to slay him ! [He starts forward, andsuddenly stops.] 
But who is this that drags me by the hair hence from the 
chariot ? He alters your command, and the decree of Apollo ! 
— Old Man. Alas truly! a disease acute and severe! Gods" 
and Faith ! even this man who is mad, how well he was a little 
before ! How a disease so great has fallen upon him sud- 
denly ! I will go, and call a Physician instantiy, as fast as 
possible. [Exit the old man at the back scene, hobbling fast.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Men. [Solus.] Have those people gone away, prithee, out 
of my sight, who forcibly compel me, that in real good health 
I must be mad? Why do I delay now to depart to the ship, 
while it is possible to go there safe and sound? [Two lines 
omitted.] [Exit Menjechmus Sosicles in haste at the side 
scene.] 

Enter the Old Man from the back scene, hobbling slowly, 

as if in pain. 
Old Man. My loins are in pain from sitting, and my eyes 
from watching for the Doctor, and waiting for him, until 
he can get away from an operation. The odious man scarcely 
at last is coming hither from the sick people. He says, that 
he has bound up a broken leg like iEsculapius, but a broken 
arm like Apollo. I am now thinking whether I can pronounce, 
that I am bringing a physician, or a setter of legs ! [He looks 
round towards the back scene.] And behold him ! He is stalking 
this way! He moves at the pace of an ant. 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter from the back scene a Physician in great formality of 
dress, and stalking pompously along. The Old Gentlemanmeets 
him, and they advance. 

Doct. Had you told me, pray, what disease he might 
have ? relate it, my old gentleman ! whether is he distracted, 
or frightened with fancies ? Let me know this ! whether does 
a lethargy seize him, or a dropsy ?— Old Man. Why I bring 



94 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

you here for that reason, that you may tell me that, and that 
you may make him sound, stout, and whole! — Doct. [Taking 
snuff with an air.] That indeed is a very easy matter to me! 
That he shall be perfectly sane, I promise it to you on my faith 
now! — Old Man. I wish him to be attended to with great 
care. — Doct. Why, I will try the cure more than six hundred 
times in a day. I will take care of him in such a way for you 
with the greatest attention. — Old Man. [Looking at the back 
scene.] And behold him, the man himself there! — Doct. Let 
us observe him what affair he may be at! [They step on one 
side.] 

SCENA QUINTA. 

Enter Men^chmus Surreptus from the back scene, 
and advances to the front. 
Men. Verily indeed this day has turned out perverse and 
adverse to me ! All those things which I thought to do 
clandestinely, it hath made known. There is the Parasite, 
who has made up the measure to me of his wickedness and 
cowardice! my Ulysses, who has stirred up so much cala- 
mity against his patron ! which fellow, if I live indeed, I will 
deprive of his life. But I am silly to say that it is his, which 
is mine, for he was brought up with my food and expense. 
I will deprive the fellow of his very soul. But this harlot 
has acted fittingly, as is the custom of harlots. Because I 
ask for the cloak, that it may be brought back again to my 
wife, she says that she had given it me. Alas ! verily, and in 
truth, I live an unhappy man! [He remains in deep thought.] 
• — Old Man. [To the Doctor.] Do you hear what he says? — 
Doct. He declares that he is miserable. — Old Man. I must 
wish you to go up to him. — Doct. [Advancing.] May you be 
in health, Menaechmus ! [Menjechmis takes his arm from 
under his cloak.] Why do you bare your arm, prithee? Do 
you not know how much mischief you may do now to your 
disease ? — Men. [Lookitig sternly at him.] But go you, and 
hang yourself! — Doct. Do you understand me at all ? — Men. 
Why may I not understand you? — Doct. [To the Old Man.] 
This affair can scarcely be managed with an acre of Helle- 
bore! [Turning to his patient.] But what do you say, Me- 
naechmus? — Men. What do you want?— Doct. Tell me this 
that I ask you! do you drink now white wine, or black wine? 



HENOCH MI. 95 

—Men. [Scornful.] ^ut go thou and be hanged ! — Old Man. 
[To the Doctor.] Now in truth he is beginning to get mad in 
the first instance. — Men. Why don't you ask me, whether 
I may be used to eat purple bread, or black bread, or dirt 
bread ? and whether I may be used to eat birds with scales, 
and fishes with feathers? — Old Man. [Lifting up his hands 
and eyes.] O dear me! do you hear, Doctor, how delirious he 
talks? why do you delay to give him some potion before his 
raving takes him ? — Doct. Wait now ! I will still ask ques- 
tions. — Old Man. You destroy him with more talking. — 
Doct. [To MENiECHMus.] Tell me this! Are your eyes used 
ever to become fixed ? — Men. What! do you think I am a 
locust, thou vilest man? — Doct. Tell me, do your intestines 
ever grumble, as far as you may notice ? — Men. When I am 
full, they never grumble. When I am hungry, then they 
make a noise. — Doct. [To the Old Man.] He answered this 
word truly indeed to me, not like an insane man! [To the 
patient.] Do you sleep till day -light? do you readily go to 
sleep, wishing for it? — Men. I sleep through the night, if I 
have paid money to whom I owe it. But may Jupiter and 
all the gods curse you, Mister Examiner! — Doct. [To the 
Old Man.] Now the man begins to be frantic. From those 
words I judge, and advise you, take care of yourself! — Old 
Man. Now truly indeed, he is more moderate in his words 
than he was lately. For he said awhile ago, that his wife was 
a ravenous bitch-dog ! — Men. [With a loud voice.] What said 
I? — Old Man. I say you are mad! — Men. [Astonished.] I 
mad ? — Old Man. You there ! who even threatened to ride 
me down with four yoked horses in a chariot. I saw you do 
these things, and 1 myself charge you with these things ! — 
Men. But I know, that you plundered the sacred crown of 
Jupiter, and I know, that on account of that affair, you were 
clapped up into prison ! and 1 know, that you were flogged 
with rods under the gallows, after you were let out ! Then 
that you slew your father, and sold your mother, I also 
know. Do I answer these bad words to your bad words 
well enough for a sane man? — Old Man. I beg of you truly, 
Doctor, whatever you are about to do, do it quickly ! Don't 
you see that the man is mad? — Doct. Do you know what 
is the best thing you can do? Make him be carried down 
to me! — Old Man. Do you think so? Doct. Why not? 



96 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

There I shall be able to manage the man from my own 
judgment. — Old Man. Well, as it pleases you. — Doct. [To 
Men^chmus.] I will make you drink Hellebore during 
some twenty days. — Men. But I will stick you with goads, 
while you are hanging, during thirty days. — Doct. To the 
Old Man.] Go and call the men, who may bring him down to 
me! Old Man. How many are enough? — Doct. For that 
purpose four men, for I see that he is frantic. Not less than 
those. — Old Man. They shall be here just now ! Do you keep 
him there, Doctor. — Doct. But I will go home that things 
may be prepared, which there is need of being prepared. 
Do you order the servants to bring him to me! — Old Man. 
I will cause that he shall be there just now ! Doct. I de- 
part!— Old\ Man. Farewell! [Exit Doctor at the back scene. 
Exit the Old Gentleman at the side scene.] — Men. [Looking 
after them.] My father-in-law has gone away ; and the 
Doctor has departed. I am now alone. Oh, Jupiter, what 
is it, that these men here pronounce that I am mad ! for in 
fact, since I was born, I never have been sick for one day. 1 
am neither mad, nor do I begin battles, nor quarrels. Being 
well myself, I regard others as being well. I have known 
men, and often address them. Are not those, who say that 
I am mad, really mad themselves? [He meditates.] What 
shall I now do ? I am desirous to go home. But my wife 
does not permit me! And hither, [pointing to Erotium's 
house] no one admits me ! too wickedly it has been guarded 
against. Here therefore I will stay till night. I believe at 
last I shall be admitted into my house. [He stands near his. 
own door.] 

SCENA SEXTA. 

Enter MEssENio/ro/w the back scene. 

Mess. It is a trial to a good servant, who manages his mas- 
ter's business, and views, and puts in order, and applies to it, 
that, his master being absent, he may guard his master's 
property diligently, as if he himself were present, or even 
more carefully. [Twenty-three lines omitted.*] After I fixed 
my goods, and the servants at the inn, as my master had 
commanded, I come here thus to meet him. [He goes to- 

* Omitted as tedious and dull, and the Act being a very long <me 



MENiECHMI. 07 

wards Erotium's door,] I will now knock at the door ? 
that he may know that I am here. Nor do I know whether 
1 can get him out of doors safe of damage from this frolic- 
But I fear, lest I may come too late, the battle being fought 
to an end. [He stops near Erotium's door, as if waiting for 
his master. 

SCENA SEPTIMA. 

Enter from the back scene the Old Man attended by 
Jail-foggers. 

Old Man. [To the men.] By gods and men I say to you, jailers, 
that you must mind my command exactly as to what I have 
ordered, and do now order. Make that man, [pointing to Me- 
N.&CHMUs]becarriedofTintothe lofty surgery-shop instantly, 
unless you value not your own legs and sides. Guard against 
any of you minding what he may threaten. [They stand star- 
ing.] Why do you stop ? Why do you doubt ? Already it be- 
hoved you to snatch him up aloft. I will go to the Doctor ! I 
will be at hand here, when you shall come. [Exit the Old 
man at the back scene.] [The men gather about Men^chmus.] 
— Men. I am lost! What is this business? Why do the 
men there run towards me, I pray ? What do you want? 
What do you seek after ? Why do you stand round me ? 
[They seize and drag him.] Where do you drag me? Where 
do you carry me ? I have perished ! I beg your protection ! 
Ye citizens of Epidamnum, help me ! [Struggles with them 
violently.] But do you not let me alone? — Mess. [On the op- 
posite side starting round.] Immortal gods, I pray ! what do 
I see with my eyes ? Some men, I know not who, are carry- 
ing my master aloft most unworthily ! — Men. Who is bold 
enough to assist me ? — Mess. I, master, most boldly ! [ Very 
loud,] O citizens of Epidamnum, a vile and scandalous 
deed, that my master here, in a town at peace, should be 
dragged in daylight in the street, he who came free to you ! 
[To the men.] Let him go at once ! — Men. I beseech you, 
whoever you are, to give me aid, and not to suffer so great 
an injury to be done to me, so remarkably — Mess. Yes, I 
will both give you aid, and defend you, and assist you stre- 
nuously. I will never suffer you to perish. It is more just 
that I should perish ! Master, prithee, drag out the eye of 



^O M. ACCII PLAUTI 

that fellow, who holds you by the shoulder! [Messenio 
strikes them, fighting valiantly against each.] I will give a 
harrowing now to the faces of these fellows, and stick my 
fists in them ! By Hercules, you are carrying him with the 
greatest destruction to yourselves ! Let him off, ye villains ! 
— Men. \ Fighting and struggling manfully. ~\ I have hold of 
this fellow's eye ! — Mess, Make the hollow eyepit appear in 
his face ! O ye rascals, ye villains, ye robbers ! [desperate 
fighting and boxing.] — Jailer. We are lost. I crave your 
mercy indeedj — Mess. Let him off therefore all of you ! — 
Men. Why do you touch me at all? [To Messenio] Tear 
the fellows with your fists ! — Mess, [Boxing bravely.] Get 
along, rascals, drive off, fly away hence to destruction ! 
[Three of the men run away.] Here's for you also, [he drives 
his fist at the remaining one] because you give way the last ! 
and you shall have this reward [he gives him a facer, the fel- 
low runs off, and the stage is cleared of the Jail-fioggers.] I have 
marked their faces however very well, and as I wished ! 
Verily and truly, master, I came to your aid just now in 
right time. — Men. But may the gods do well to you always, 
young man. whoever you are! For if it were without you to 
help me, this day I could never live to the setting sun ! — 
Mess. Therefore in truth, if you can do rightly, master, set 
me free from slavery ! — Men. Can I set you free ? — Mess. Yes, 
master, since I have saved you. — Men. What is it? Young 
man, you are wrong. — Mess. What? am I wrong? — Men. I 
swear to you by father Jupiter, that I am not your master ! 
— Mess. [Staring in surprise.] Do you not hold your peace 
now 7 — Men. I do not speak false ! nor has any servant of 
mine ever done such a thing as you have done for me! — 
Mess. Thus suffer me, therefore, if you deny that I am yours, 
to depart a free man.— Men. Truly indeed as far as I am 
concerned, be free, and go where you shall wish ! — Mess. Do 
you order me then to go ?— Men. I order you indeed, if I 
have any command over you. [Three lines omitted.] — Mess. I 
will dwell with you, and when you shall go, I will go home 
along with you ! — Men. By no means. — Mess, I will now go 
to the Inn ! I will bring back the goods and the money to 
you. The purse is properly fastened up in the cloak-bag 
along with the provisions, and I will now bring it down 
hither to you. — Men. Bring it carefully \—Mess. I will return 



MENJECHMI. 99 

it safe to you, just, as you gave it me. Wait for me here ! 
[Exit Messenio at the back scene.'] — Men. [Solus.'] How 
many wonderful things indeed have started up to me this 
day in an amazing manner ! Some deny me to be that man 
that I really am, and shut me out of doors ! Even this man 
said, that he was my servant, whom I have now made free* 
He says that he will bring me the purse with money. If he 
shall have brought it, I will tell him, that he must go away 
free, where he shall choose, lest at that time when he shall 
have got his senses, he may ask the money back from me. 
My father-in-law, and the Physician did say that I was 
mad ! As to what this may be, it is a wonderful thing ! 
These matters seem to me no otherwise than dreams. I 
will now go in-doors to this harlot, altho' she is angry with 
me. I will try if I can prevail on her by entreaty, that she 
may restore the cloak, which I will then carry back home. 

[Exit into Erotium's house. 



SCENA OCTAVA. 

Enter from the back scene Menechmus Sosicles, 
followed by Messenio. 

Men, [Advancing.] Do you dare, audacious as you are, to 
say that I met you any where to-day, after I ordered you to 
come hither to meet me? — Mess. Why I saved you from 
attack just now, when there were four men, that were carry- 
ing you aloft, close to these houses ! You were crying out 
for the aid of gods and all men, when I run up and delivered 
you by force of fighting, without even your asking me ! On 
account of that business, because I saved you, you sent me 
away a freed man. When I said that I would seek for the 
money, you ran before as fast as possible to meet me again, 
that you may deny those things that you did ! — Men. Have 
I ordered you to go away free ? — Mess. Certainly you did. — 
Men. It is most certain to me, that I myself may rather be- 
come a servant, than that I may ever make you free. 



100 



M. ACCI PLAUTI 



SCENA NONA. 

Enter Menjechmus Surreptus from Erotium's house. 
He turns and speaks to those within. 

Men. Sur. If you are willing to swear by your eyes, you 
will not truly on that account establish it the more, that I 
can have taken away the cloak and buckle, ye vilest women. 
— Mess. [Starting and clapping his hands.] O immortal gods ! 
what do I see ? — Men. Sos. What do you see ? — Mess. The 
reflection of you in a mirror. — Men. Sos. What's the mean- 
ing of that? — Mess. It is your image as like as possible. — 
Men. Sos. Faith indeed it is not unlike, if I know my own 
form. — Men. Sur. [Coming up to Messenio.] Hail to you, 
young man, who saved me, whoever you are ! — Mess. Young 
Sir, I beg truly tell me your name, unless it is unpleasant ! 
— Men. Sur. In truth, you have not deserved of me so, that 
it may be unpleasant, as to what you can wish. My name 
is Menaechmus ! — Men. Sos. That is my name in truth ! — 
Men. Sur. I am a Sicilian from Syracuse. — Men. Sos. That 
home and country is mine!— Men. Sur. What do I hear 
from you ? — Men. Sos. This which is the reality. — Mess. 
[Pointing at Surreptus.] I truly have known him. He is my 
master ! — Men. Sos. You seem to me to be delirious ! do you 
not remember, that you went out of the ship together with 
me to-day ? — Mess. Truly you ask me properly. You are 
my master ! [To the other.] Look thou for a servant ! [To 
Sosicles.] Greet you, Sir! [To the other.] Farewell, Sir! 
[Pointing at Sosicles.] I say that this is Menaechmus! — 
Men. Sur. But I say that I am Menaechmus ! — Men. Sos. 
What is this story ? Are you Menaechmus ! — Men. Sur. I 
say that I am so, born of my father Moschus ! — Men. Sos. 
Are you born from my father? — Men. Sur. Truly, young- 
man, from my own father. — Mess. Immortal gods, give me 
the hope unexpected, which I now surmise ! For unless my 
mind deceives me, these are two twin brothers ! for they 
mention alike both the father and mother they may have 
had. I will select my master now. [Calls out aloud.] Men- 
aechmus ! — Men. Ambo. What do you want? — Mess. I don't 
want you both ! But which of you was brought here in the 






MEN^ECHMr. 101 

ship with me 1—Men. Sur. Not I !— Men. Sos. But I was! 
—Mess. I want you therefore. Step aside hither ! [They go 
aside.]— Men. Sos. I have gone with you, and now what is 
it?— Mess. That man is either a cheat, or your twin brother. 
For I never saw one man more like to another man ! nor is 
water to water, nor milk to milk, any where more like, 
believe me, than he is to you, and you are to him. But 
lately he mentions the same native country and father, and 
so it is better that we we should go up to him, and ask him 
questions.— Mew. Sos. In truth but you have advised me 
rightly, and I thank you ! Go to attend to this matter I be- 
seech you, and in truth be you freed, if you find out, that he 
is my brother! — Mess. I hope to do so. — Men. Sos. And I too 
hope, that the same will be. [Sixteen lines omitted.'] — Mess. [To 
Men^echmus Surreptus.] Tell me what you remember 
at most distant time in your native country. — Men. Sur. That 
I went away to Tarentum with my father, to carry on the bu- 
siness of merchandize, then afterward that I strayed away 
from my father, among men, and was carried away from 
thence. — Men. Sos. [Clapping his hands.] Oh lofty Jupiter, 
preserve me ! — Mess. Why do you cry out ? Do you not hold 
your peace? [To Menjechmus Surreptus.] How many 
years old were you, when your father takes you away from 
your native country ? — Men. Sur. Seven years old ! For then 
my teeth were first falling. Nor have I seen my father ever 
since. — Mess. What! How many sons of you were there to 
your father? — Men. Sur. As I now very well remember, two. 
— Mess. Which of you were the elder, you or the other? — 
Men. Sur. Both equally alike. — Mess. How r can that be ? — 
Men. Sur. We were both twins. — Men. Sos. [Lifting his hands.] 
The gods are willing to preserve me ! — Mess. If you interrupt, 
I shall have done ! — Men. Sos. I am silent, rather than that. — 
Mess. [To Surreptus.] Tell me, were you both of one name? 
— Men. Sur. By no means ! for to me was this name, which 
is now, Mensechmus. They called him then Sosicles. — 
Men. Sos. I have known these proofs ! I cannot be restrained 
but that I may embrace you, O my brother, my twin-brother, 
greeting to you ! 1 am Sosicles ! [He runs to him, and they 
embrace.] Men. Sur. But how afterward has your name be- 
come Mengechmus ? — Men. Sos. After it was reported to us, 

p 



102 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

that you and your father were dead, our grandfather changed 
my name ! That, which is the name to you, he gave to me. 
— Men. Sur. I believe that it was so done, as you say. But 
answer me this ! — Men. Sos. Ask it. — Men- Sur. What was the 
name belonging to our mother? — Men. Sos. Theusimarche! 
— Men. Sur. It agrees. [He embraces him.] Welcome, my bro- 
ther, unhoped for, whom I now behold in many years after 
our boyhood ! — Men. Sos. And welcome, thou, whom 1 have 
always to this time sought for with many wretched labours, 
and whom I rejoice, is now found out.— Mess. [To Men&ch- 
mus Sosicles.] This was the reason, that this harlot called 
you by the name of him. She thought that you were he, as 
I believe, when she calls you in to dinner. — Men. Sur. Truly 
in fact this day I ordered a dinner to be prepared for me 
here unknown to my wife, from whom I stole a cloak lately 
in my house. I gave it to this harlot. — Men. Sos. Do you 
speak, brother, of this cloak which I have ? — Men. Sur. How 
has this cloak come to you? — Men. Sos. The harlot led me 
away hither to dinner. She said that I had given it to her. 
I dined exceeding well. I drank, and got the cloak, and 
this gold. [Shtivs what he got.] — Men. Sur. I rejoice in truth, 
if any thing of good hath accrued to you on account of me. 
For she, when she invited you to her, believed that you were 
me. — Mess. [To his master.] Do you delay me, but that I may 
go.free, as you have ordered ? — Men. Sur. He asks, brother, 
a very good thing, and a very just thing ! Do it for my sake. 
— Men. Sos. [Touching Messenio's shoulder.] Be thou free! 
— Men. Sur. I rejoice since you are free, Messenio. — Men. 
Sos. Because these things have happened, brother, accord- 
ing to my opinion let us both return into our native country ! 
— Men Sur. Brother, I will do, as you shall wish. I will 
make an auction here, and will sell whatever I have. Now 
in the mean time, brother, let us go within doors ! — Men. Sos. 
Let it be so. — Mess. [To them both.] Do you know what I 

ask of you? — Men. Sur. What? Mess. That you may give 

me the office of a crier. — Men. Sur. It shall be given. — Mess. 
Therefore now this moment are you willing that it should be 
proclaimed, that an auction will be ? and what day it will be? 
— Men. Sur. On the day of the seventh. — Mess. [With a loud 
voice, and leaving his hat.] There will be an auction at the house 



MENyECHMT. 103 

of Mensechmus early in the morning of the seventh without 
fail ! The slaves will be sold, the furniture, the farms, the 
house, all things will be sold as far as they will be lawful, 
for ready money. His wife also will be sold, if any purchaser 
shall have come ! [To the Brothers.'] I believe it will scarcely 
take fifty days in the whole auction ! [To the Audience.] Now 
fare ye well, spectators, and loudly applaud us. 



END OF THE MEN2ECHMI. 



M. ACCH PLAUTI 
M E R C A T O R. 



CHARACTERS IN THE COMEDY. 

Demipho, an Athenian old gentleman. 

Charinus, Demipho's son, a young man. 

The Wife 0/ Demipho. 

Acanthio, a servant of Charinus. 

Pasicompsa, a handmaid, rhisttess 0/ Charinus. 

Lysimachus, a citizen, neighbour, and friend of Demipho. 

Dorippa, wife of Lysimachus. 

Eutychus, son of Lysimachus and Dorippa. 

Syra, an old woman, Dorippa's maid-servant, 

A Cook. 

Cooks, Scullions, and Attendants. 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 
MERCATOR. 



Scene. — A street, with houses avid temples, Lysimachus's 
house on one side, and Demipho's on the other, with their 
doors opposite. 



ACTUS PRIMUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter from the back scene, Acanthio. He goes to the 
front in haste, and out of breath, 

Acan. [Solus.] Ever try, Acanthio, with your utmost power 
and strength, and endeavour that your master, when thrown 
down, may be preserved by thy attention ! Come on now ! 
Drive away from you lassitude ; guard against being given 
up to slothfulness ! At the same time suppress your short 
breathing, though I can scarce bear this difficulty of my 
breath. But now at the same time drive off most completely 
those that walk in your way, thrust them aside, and drive 
them into the road ! This custom here is very bad to a man 
running; no one deigns to give way to a hurrying man J 
[Enter Charinus at the side scene behind.'] Now three things 
are at once to be done, when you may have begun one thing ! 
You must run, you must fight, and make a broil too in the 
street. — Cha. [Behind.] What is it, that he requires of him- 
self a race so expeditiously ? I have a solicitude to know 
what this business is, or what he can have to announce ! — 
Acan. I am trifling here. I am standing back equally as 
much as the affair is involved in danger. — Cha. [Behind.] I 
know * not what calamity he announces ! — Acan. My knees 
forsake the runner. I am lost. My spleen makes a disturb- 



108 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

ance, and seizes my heart. I am now destroyed ! I cannot 
move my breath. In such a way I can be but a very bad 
trumpeter.— Cha. [Behind.] But now truly take thou the 
skirt of your coat, and wipe away the sweat from you ! — 
Acan. In truth all the baths in the world will never take 
away this lassitude from me. Shall I say that my master 
Charinus is at home or abroad? — Cha. [Behind.'] I am 
doubtful what that business may be. It were a pleasure that 
I could know from him the matter, that I may be more cer- 
tain. — Acan. But am I still standing here? Do I still delay 
to knock at the boards of these doors ? [He knocks at De- 
mipho's door.] Open the door some one ! [The door is opened.] 
Where is my master Charinus ? Is he at home, or abroad ? 
Does any one think fit to approach the door? — Cha. [Coming 
up to him.] Acanthio, behold me whom you seek ! — Acan. 
The discipline of this house is no where more lazy. — Cha. 
What affairs agitate you grievously? — Acan. Many, O mas- 
ter, thee and me. — Cha. What business is it ? — Acan. We 
have perished ! — Cha. Give that beginning to my enemies ! — 
Acan. But it has happened to you by your lot. — Cha. Speak 
that business, whatever it is ! — Acan. Softly ! I am willing 
to be at rest awhile ! For your sake I have broke the veins 
of my lungs, and already I spit blood ! — Cha. Devour ./Egyp- 
tian gum with honey, and you will have made yourself well. 
— Acan. But now do thou drink hot pitch, and your disease 
will have gone away. — Cha. I have known no man more 
irascible than you ! — Acan. But I have known no man more 
abusive than you ! [Six lines omitted.] — Cha. Come, give me 
your right hand, Acanthio. [He holds out his hand to him.] 
— Acan. Well, it shall be given! [He joins hands.] — Cha. 
Are you willing to obey me, or are you unwilling? — Jean. 
You may try it by the proof of me, who have burst myself 
by running for your sake, in order that you might know 
instantly, things which I should know. — Cha. I will make 
you free within a few months. — Acan. You now hit me 
with a gentle slap. — Cha. Can I any where dare to pro- 
claim a false deed to you, but you know if I want to tell 
a lie, even before I may have said it?- — Acan. Oh now your 
words in truth add fatigue to me, and you are torturing 
me ! — Cha. Are you thus obedient to me ? — Acan. What do 
you wish I may do? — Cha. You may do ? that which I wish. 



MERCATOR. 109 

— Acan. What is it therefore that you wish? — Cha. I wil 
tell you. — Acan. Tell it! — Cha. Truly I wish to speak softly. 
— Acan. You are afraid now that you may awake the sleeping 
spectators. — Cha. [Threatening with his hand.] Woe to you ! 
— ^Acan. Truly I bring to you this matter from the port! — ■ 
Cha. What do you bring ? tell me. — Acan Force, fear, tor- 
ture, care, and strife, and penury ! — Cha. I have perished! 
You indeed have brought me hither a whole treasure of mis- 
fortune ! I am done for. — Acan. Yes you are ! — Cha. I know 
it. Now you will call me wretched ! — Acan. You have spoke. 
I now am silent. — Cha. What is that misfortune ? — Acan, 
Ask not ! it is the greatest calamity. — Cha. I beseech you, 
now free me from suspense ! Too long I am doubtful of mind. 
— Acan. Easy now ! I wish to search out many things, be- 
fore I may be beaten. — Cha. Truly and verily you shall be 
beaten unless you now speak, or depart from hence. — Acan, 
[Pointing to his breast.] See this, what palpitation is here ? 
There is no mind more easy than mine, when the thing began. 
— Cha, I beseech you truly, and entreat, that you may tell 
instantly, what that matter can be ! since I see that I must 
supplicate my servant. — Acan. At length I seem an unworthy 
man. — Cha. Yea a worthy one! — Acan. [Looking proud.] So I 
believed indeed. — Cha. Tell me, I beg, has the ship perished ? 
— Acan. The ship is safe. Fear not ! — Cha. What as to the 
other goods ! — Acan. They are safe and sound. — Cha. But 
do you explain, why it may be, that you sought me just 
now, running through the city ? — Acan. You indeed now 
take my oration from my mouth. — Cha. I am silent. — Acan. 
Do be silent! I believe if I were to tell any thing good, you 
would press me eagerly, who now, when a calamity is to be 
heard, demand of me to speak out ! — Cha. I beseech you 
verily, that you make known to me that calamity. — Acan. 

Since you entreat me, I will speak out. Your father 

Cha. What did my father do ? — Acan. Your mistress 

Cha. What as to her ? — Acan. Hath seen Cha. Hath 

seen? Woe to me miserable! Answer me this that I ask 
you. — Acan. Now ask thou me, if you wish any thing. — Cha, 
How could he see her? — Acan. With his eyes. — Cha. By 
what means ? — Acan. Open eyes. — Cha. Go hence to the 
gibbet ! You are trifling in a capital affair of mine. — Acan. 
What a curse, how am I trifling, if I answer you what you 
Q 



110 M. ACCil PLAUT1 

ask me? — Cha, Has he certainly seen her? — Acan. As cer- 
tainly in fact, as I see you, and you me. — Cha. Where has 
he seen her? — Acan. Within the ship, where he stood near 
her, and chatted with her.— Cha. You have destroyed me, O 
my father! [Claps his hands.] Harkye you! harkye; have 
you not taken care, lest he should see her, you scoundrel? 
Did you not put her away, you rascal, lest my father might 
behold her? — Acan. It was because we were busy with our 
own business. We were eager in putting together, and ar- 
ranging the goods. While these things are done, your father . 
is carried to us in a littie boat ; nor hath any one seen the 
man, until he was in the ship above. — Cha. [Wringing his 
hands.] In vain have I escaped the sea in dreadful tempests! 
In truth I now thought myself to be on land, and in a safe 
place ; but I see that I am carried to the rocks by the raging 
waves and billows. Speak moreover what may have been 
done.— Acan. After he beheld the woman, he began to 
ask whose property she might be. — Cha. Hath any one an- 
swered him ? — Acan. I at once met him, and threw in, that 
you had bought that woman as a maid-servant to your mo- 
ther. — Cha. Has he seemed to you to believe it ? — Acan. Do 
you even ask that? Why the wicked fellow began to toy 
with her. — Cha. With her, prithee, did he begin to dally? — 
Acan. It would be a wonder that he should dally with me ! 
— Cha. [Patting his hand to his breast.] Alas ! truly my mise- 
rable heart! which melts drop by drop, as if you may have 
thrown in salt into water. I have perished ! — Acan. Aha ! 
You have said now that one word most true. But there is 
that folly in you. — Cha. What shall I do ? I believe my 
father will not credit me, if I shall say that I bought that 
girl for my mother. But besides, it seems to me to be 
wickedness, to tell a lie to a parent. Nor will he believe, 
nor is it credible, as to a woman with remarkable beauty, 
that I had bought her as a maid-servant to my mother. — 
Acan. Do you not hold your tongue now, most foolish man? 
he will certainly believe it, for he believed even me. — Cha. I 
wretched fear lest a suspicion may take my father, as the 
thing is really carried on. Answer this that I ask you, 
prithee ! — Acan. What do you ask? — Cha. Has he seemed 
to suspect, that she was my mistress ? — Acan. He has not 
seemed. But as I said every thing, he believed me. — Cha. 



MERCATOR. Ill 

True, as he seemed to you io think. — Acan. It is not so, but 

he believed me Cha. Woe to wretched me ! I am lost 1 But 

why do I here perish in lamenting r Why do I not go to the 
ship ? Follow me there ! [He goes, towards the back scene, ,] — 
Acan. If you go that way you will come to it, plump meeting 
your father. After he shall see you to be timid and dis- 
tressed, instantly he will keep you back, and will ask from 
whom you bought her, for how much you may have bought 
her ; he will try you when you are frightened.— Cha. Well I 
will go this way rather. [He steps towards the side scene.] Do 
you think now, that my father has gone away from the port? 
—Acan* Why I ran forward hither on that very account, that 
he might not bear you down unexpecting it, or might cajole 
you.— Cha. Excellent I [Exeunt at the side sceneJ\ 



ACTUS SECUNDUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 
E?iter Demip ho from the back scene hobbling forward. 

Dem. In a wonderful manner the gods make sport of men ; 
and in wonderful instances give visions in sleep. In this 
way I, in this very night which has passed, have been busy 
enough in dreams, and have been a man well exercised and 
employed. I seemed to myself to buy a beautiful she-goat. 
{Twenty-five lines omitted^] I went hence to the port with the 
first light early in the morning, after I transacted here what 
I chose to do ; and there I behold a ship from Rhodes, in 
which my son was conveyed here yesterday. It pleased me, 
I know not why, to visit the ship. I went on board a small 
boat, and am carried to the vessel, and there I behold that 
woman with exquisite beauty, whom my son brought as a 
maid-servant to his mother ; whom after I saw, I fell in love 
with ; not so as sober men are wont to do, but in the same 
manner as violent men are used to do. I verily and truly 
loved formerly in my youth, but never to this extent, as I 
now am raging. One thing truly indeed I now know, that 
I have perished with love. [Three lines omitted.'] But I will 



112 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

be silent. [Lysimachus's door opens.] But behold him! I 
see my neighbour^ he is going out of doors. 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Lysimachus from his house, followed by his two 
Slave-jailers. 

Lys. [To the first Jailer.] [Seven lines omitted.'] Take care 
that you tell my wife, that I have business in the city, that 
she may not expect me; and say that three lawsuits this day 
are to be decided by me ; — now, remember to say this. — Jailer. 
Is there any thing more ? — Lys. It is only so much. [Exeunt 
Jailers.] — Dem. [Coming up to Lysimachus.] Health to you, 
Lysimachus !— Lys. Well met! Health to you, Demipho ! 
What are you about? what happens? — Dem. I am as mise- 
rable as possible. — Lys. May the gods have averted it ! — ■ 
Dem. The gods indeed cause this matter. — Lys. What is it? 
— Dem. I will tell you, if I can see that you have either 
attention or leisure. — Lys. Although I have business, if you 
wish for any thing, Demipho, I am never too much occupied 
to give attention to my friend. — Dem. You are telling your 
benignity to me, who have tried it. What age do I seem to 
you to be of? — Lys. An old man near death, ancient, and 
decrepid ! — Dem. You see all wrong. I am a boy, Lysim- 
achus, seven years old ! — Lys. Are you in your senses, who 
can say, that you are a boy? — Dem. I tell the truth. [Seven 
lines omitted.] But now may I dare to speak out to you, if I 
can wish for any thing ? — Lys. Speak out boldly ! — Dem. 
Attend therefore. — Lys. It shall be done carefully. — Dem. 
I am in love ! — Lys. Are you with your grey head in love, 
O most iniquitous old fellow ? — Dem. Whether my head is 
grey, or red, or black, I am in love. — Lys. You are now 
making sport of me here, I think, Demipho. — Dem. Cut my 
throat, if it is false, as I may say ! [Seven lines omitted.] 
Now, I believe you are thinking to scold me. — Lys. Can I 
scold you? — Dem. There is nothing now, that you may be 
angry with me for. Other famous men have done such a 
thing before. It is natural to man to love, and it is natural 
to man to pardon. Then do not reprove me ! My will did 
not impel me to this. — Lys. I do not reprove you. — Dem. 
But nevertheless, do not estimate me the worse for this fact! 



MERCATOR. 1J3 

— Lys* I estimate yon less? Ah ! may the gods not have per- 
mitted it ! — Dem. See now that you be so ! — Lys. It is al- 
ready seen. — Dem. For certain? — Lys. You wear me out. 
[Aside.] This man is out of his senses from love. [To him.'] 
Do you wish any thing more? [He goes a few steps.] — Dem. 
Farewell ! — Lys. I am hastening to the port ; for I have 
business there. — Dem. Walk, and prosper ! — Lys. Fare thee 
well and prosper \—Dem. May it be well with you ! [Exit 
Lysimachus at the back scene.] [A pause.] Moreover I also 
have business at the port. Now therefore I will go there. 
[He looks towards the side scene.] But in very good time I 
see my son. Behold him there ! I will wait for the man. 
There is need to me now of my seeing him, by which means 
I may be able to persuade him, that he may sell that girl, 
and not give her to his mother, for I heard that he had 
brought her here as a gift to her. But there is need of pre- 
caution, lest he may perceive, that I in some degree have 
given my affection to her. [He steps on one side.] 



SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter Charinus from the side scene. 

Cha, There is no man more miserable than myself in truth, 
I think, nor any one to whom more adversity can be so 
lasting. Is it not enough, as to my beginning to do any 
thing, that whatever it is that I desire, nothing can fall out 
proper to me, but some bad affair is thrown against me, 
which depresses every right intention. In wretchedness I 
got for a price a mistress for myself to please my inclination, 
thinking that I could have her unknown to my father. He 
found her out, and saw her, and has destroyed me ! Nor 
have I pondered what I shall say, when he may ask me 
about her ; so many thoughts, even ten of them, contend 
uncertain in my breast ! Nor do I know what counsel I can 
take in my heart at this time, so great a confusion is in my 
mind, together with affliction ! At one time the advice of 
my servant pleases me, at another it does not please me. 
Nor does my father seem capable to be induced to think, 
that that hand-maid was bought for my mother. [ Five lines 



114 M. ACCIl PLAUTI 

omitted, as tedious.] Formerly. he drove me hence against my 
will, from my home and from himself, and ordered me to go 
to trade as a merchant. There I found this calamity. When 
affliction can conquer pleasure, what is there of pleasantness 
in it? In vain I hid and concealed the girl, and had her 
removed away from sight. My father is as a fly, and no- 
thing can be had secret from him. [Three lutes omitted.'] — 
Dem. [Behind.] What is that, which my son is saying there 
with himself alone ? He seems to me to be in trouble. I 
know not why. — Cha. [Looking back from the front.] Aha! 
This is indeed my father that I see ! I will go and speak to 
bim. [He goes to his father .] What is done, father? — Dem. 
Whence come you ? Why are you in haste, my son ? — Cha. 
All is right, father ! — Dem. So I wish. But what's that, 
that your colour is changed? Is any thing the matter with 
you ? — Cha. I know not what ails me, father. I have not 
been at rest in my thoughts comfortably all this night past ! 
— Dem. As you have been carried over the sea, your eyes 
now dazzle at the land. — Cha. More sick than that, I think. 
— Dem. That is the case, I say. But it will have gone off 
immediately. You are pale from it in truth. If you can 
be wise, go and lie down at home ! — Cha. I have no leisure ; 
I wish first to transact my business. — Dem. Do it to-mor- 
row, or the day after do it ! — Cha. I have often heard from 
you, father, it becomes all wise men to attend to their con- 
cerns before any thing. — Dem. On with you then ! I do not 
wish to oppose your opinion. — Cha. [Aside.] I am safe, if 
my trust in that word is immovable and perpetual. — Dem. 
[Aside.] What is it, that he separates himself into counsel 
alone with himself? I do not fear now, lest he may have 
been able to find out, that I love her. For I have not done 
any thing foolishly, as lovers are used to do. — Cha. [Aside.] 
My affair is as yet truly and verily in safety. For I am sure 
that he knows not about that mistress ; which if he might 
know, his speech would be different. — Dem. [Aside.] Now I 
attack him about that girl. — Cha. However I now take my- 
self off! [Turning to Demipho.] I am going, that I may 
deliver as a friend, the things commissioned to me, to my 
friends. — Dem. Yea, stay awhile ! I wish to know a few 
matters first. — Cha. Say what you may wish. — Dem. Have 
you been always in health? — Cha. Perpetually well while I 



MERCATOR. 115 

was there indeed, but as soon as I was brought into port* I 
know not how, my mind is uneasy. — Dem. That was caused, 
I believe indeed, by a nausea. But it will immediately 
have gone away. But what do you say ? Have you brought 
a handmaid to your mother from Rhodes ? — Cha. I have 
brought her. — Dem. What? how is that woman in appear* 
ance? — Cha. Not bad truly.- — Dem. How is she as to man- 
ners ? — Cha. I have seen none better in my opinion. — Dem. 
She appeared so truly indeed to me, when I saw her. — Cha. 
[In seeming surprise.] What then! have you seen her, father? 
— Dem. I have seen her, but she is not suited to us ; nor 
therefore does she please me. — Cha. How in truth ?— .Dem-. 
Because she has not a form proper for our house. There 
is no need to us of a handmaid, unless of one that may 
weave, that may grind, chop wood, may make yarn, sweep 
the house, be beaten, and may cook the food daily dressed 
for the family. That one will be able to do nothing of these 
things properly. — Cha. For the sake of that in truth I have 
bought her, whom I may give as a present to my mother. — 
Dem. You may not do so, and you must not have said that 
you brought her here. — Cha. [Aside.] The gods favour me. 
— Dem. [Aside.] I am falling low here by degrees. [To him.] 
Now what I omitted saying is, that woman will neither be 
able to follow your mother properly enough as a companion, 
nor will I suffer it. — Cha. How in truth do you mean ? — 
Dem. Because with that appearance it must be wrong, if 
she follow the mistress of a family. For when she may 
walk the street, all must stare and look, and nod, and wink, 
and hiss. [Four lines omitted.] — Cha. Now truly you say what 
is right, and I agree with you. But what shall be done 
with her? — Dem. Rightly! I will have bought for your 
mother some stout servant-maid, tolerable, but with bad 
shape, as becomes the mother of a family, either a Syrian, 
or Egyptian.— Cha. What therefore if she be returned to 
the person from whom she was bought! — Dem. By no 
means. — Cha. He said that he would take her back, if she 
may not please. — Dem. There is no need of that. [Three 
lines omitted.] I think that I can advantageously sell her. — 
Cha. But verily indeed you must not sell her for less, than 
I bought her for, father ! — Dem. [Snappishly.] Hold your 
tongue now ! There is a certain old man, who ordered me to 



116 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

buy a girl of that appearance. — Cha. But a certain young 
man, father, ordered me to buy one for him, of that sort 
such as she is. — Dem. I think that I can sell her for twenty 
pounds. — Cha. But if I may choose it, seven and twenty 

pounds are now given. — Dem. But I Cha. But I, I, I, 

say Dem. \_Angry.~\ Why you don't know what I am 

about to say ! Hold your tongue ! I can add three pounds 
more, that they may be thirty. — Cha. Where have you ap- 
plied ? — Dem. To him who is buying her. — Cha. Where is 
that man ? — Dem. [Looking out at the side scene.] Behold I 
see him there ! He orders me to add even five pounds now. 
— Cha. In truth may the gods curse him, whoever he is! — 
Dem. [Looking out again.] He is now nodding to me in that 
same place again. I will add six pounds. — Cha. Seven will 
be given to me. Odds-bobs he never shall conquer me this 
day ! My man requires her to my great advantage. — Dem. 
In vain he requires her. I will have her for mine. — Cha. 
But the other promised me first. — Dem. I don't care about 
that. — Cha. He demands her for fifty pounds. — Dem. Not a 
hundred is given, that shall get her. You must not set a 
price upon her against the opinion of my mind. By Her- 
cules, you shall have a very great profit. For he is an old 
man for whom she is bought. He is out of his senses from 
love of her. You will get what you shall ask. — Cha. Cer- 
tainly and truly that young man, for whom I am buying her, 
perishes grievously from love of her. — Dem. Much more in 
fact that old man, if you were to know all. — Cha, Never in 
truth was nor will be that old man more mad from love, than 
that young one, to whom I give this assistance, father. — 
Dem. Hold your prating, I say ! I will have rightly seen to 
that affair. — Cha. What are you to do ? — Dem. What is it? 
— Cha. I have not received her as a slave ! — Dem. But he is 
to get her, and suffer him to do so ! — Cha. You cannot by 
law sell her. — Dem. I will have seen to something on that 
head. — Cha. But after she belongs to me along with an- 
other, how do I know what may be his mind ? whether he 
may wish to sell her, or may not wish. — Dem. I know that 
he is willing. — Cha. But in truth I believe that there is 
some one, who may not be willing. — Dem. What does that 
signify to me? — Cha. Because it is proper that his own 
affair should be managed by him. — Dem. What do you say? 



MERCATOR. 117 

— Cha. She belongs^to me along with another. Now he is 
not present here. — Dem. You answer before I ask. — Cha. 
You are buying her before I sell her, father I— Dem. No one, 
faith, shall have her, rather than he whom I choose. I am 
determined. — Cha. Do you think you are determined? — 
Dem. Why I am now going hence to the ship. There she 
shall be sold. — Cha. Do you wish me to go with you there? 
Dem. I do not wish it. — Cha. That does not please you, I 
see. — Dem. It is better that you should be busy as to what 
matters have been committed to you. — Cha. You hinder me 
then ! — Dem. But do you excuse yourself by saying, that 
you have been busy. You are not to go to the port, now I 
tell you.— Cha. It shall be minded. — Dem. [Aside. ~] I will go 
to the port, and there is need of caution, lest he may find out 
my plan. I won't myself buy her, but will give directions 
to my friend Lysimachus. He had said awhile ago that he 
was going to the port. I am delaying myself when I stand 
here. [Exit Demipho at the back scene.] — Cha. [Solus,] I am 
annihilated ! [Wrings his hands in grief.] I am lost! 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Charinus stands in sorrow with folded arms. 

Cha. Why am I alive? Why do I not die ? What is there 
of advantage to me in life ? It is a certain thing I will go to 
a Physician, and will there destroy myself with a deadly po- 
tion ; since that is taken away from me, for whose sake I 
desire to live. [He goes to the side.] [Enter Eutych us from 
Lysimachus's house opposite, and calls to Charinus.] Eut. 
Wait! Wait! I beseech you, Charinus! — Cha. Who calls 
me back ? — Eut. Eutychus, your friend and companion, also 
your nearest neighbour. — Cha. [Turns and goes up to him.] 
You do not know how much of calamity I may suffer ! — • 
Eut. I do know it. I heard all those things from my door. 
I know all the affair. — Cha. What is it that you know? — 

Eut. Your father wishes to sell Cha. You have all the 

business. — Eut. Your mistress- Cha. You know too much. 

—Eut. In spite of you. — Cha. You know a great deal. But 
how do you know that she is my mistress ? — Eut. You your- 
self told it me yesterday. — Cha. How oddly I have forgot 
that I told it you ! — Eut. It is a fact not wonderful. — 



118 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

Cha. I am to consult you now. Answer me with what 
death you think I had best perish. — Eut. Do you not hold 
your tongue? Take care how you may have said that to me. 
— Cha. What do you wish me to say therefore ? — Eut. Are 
you willing to trick your father nicely ? — Cha. I wish it in 
truth. — Eut. Do you wish I may go to the port? — Cha. 
How else than as you will wish? — Eut. And that I may 
carry off the girl with a price ? — Cha. How else can you pay 
for her, than by gold ? — Eut. But from whom will that come ? 
— Cha. I will entreat Achilles to give me the gold, with 
which Hector was redeemed. — Eut. Are you in your senses ? 
— Cha. Truly if I were in my senses, I may not require you 
as my physician. — Eut. Are you willing, that she may be 
bought for as great a price as is asked ? — Cha. Add some- 
thing over and above, or a thousand pieces more than he 
will bid. — Eut. Now stop your tongue ! What do you say ? 
From whence will the money come that you may give, when 
your father will require it? — Cha. It shall be found, it shall 
be sought out, something shall be done. — Eut. You torture 
me ! I fear now that word, " Something shall be done." — ■ 
Cha. But do you not hold your tongue now ?— Eut. You 
command me to be dumb, as I am now. — Cha. Is that mat- 
ter sufficiently ordered to you? — Eut. You may attend to 
any thing else. — Cha. It cannot be. — Eut. Farewell in com- 
fort ! — Cha. I cannot truly be so, before you shall have re- 
turned to me. — Eut. Be stouter in mind! — Cha. Farewell, 
and conquer, and preserve me ! — Eut. I will have done it. 
Wait for me at home ! — Cha. Therefore bring to pass, that 
you may at once return with the prize. [Exit Eutychus at 
the back scene, and Charinus into Demipho's house.] 









MERCATOR. 119 

ACTUS TERTIUS. 
SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Lysimachus, followed by Pasicompsa weeping 
and sobbing. 

Lys. [Talking to himself.] I have attended to my friend in 
a friendly manner. I have bought this piece of traffic, 
which my neighbour asked me to do. [He turns towards her.] 
Now you are mine. Follow me quietly. Weep not, I say ! 
You do very foolishly, for you spoil eyes such as yours. 
What! There is more reason indeed that you may laugh, 
than that you may be in affliction. — Pasi. O my dear, my 
old gentleman, by the gods, I beg, speak out to me ! — Lys. 
Ask what you choose. — Past. Why may you have bought 
me ? — Lys. May I have bought you? that you may do what 
may be commanded you. — Pasi. I am determined to do, as 
far as my power and knowledge goes, what I shall think 
that you wish. — Lys. I shall command you nothing of work 
of labour. — Pasi. Truly, and indeed, my old man, I have not 
learned to carry loads, nor feed cattle in the country, nor to 
suckle children. [Five lines omitted.] — Lys. I want to ask 
you this one thing. — Pasi. I will answer you when you ask 
me. — Lys. What do you say now? What name shall I tell 
that you have ? — Pasi. Pasicompsa ! [Eleven lines omitted.'] 
— Lys. Now, woman, lest you be disappointed, you are not 
mine, and do not imagine you are so ! — Pasi. Tell me there- 
fore, I beg, whose property I am. — Lys. You have been re- 
deemed by your master. Again I have redeemed you. He 
entreated me to do so. — Pasi. My courage has returned !*if 
faith is kept with me. — Lys. Be of good courage ! that man 
will set you free. He so truly dies for you, and this day 
saw you for the first time. — Pasi. Now indeed it is two 
years, since he began an acquaintance with me. Now when 
I know that you are his friend, I will tell you every thing. 
—Lys. What do you say ? Is it now two years, since he has 
communication with you? — Pasi. For certain. And we 
have sworn between ourselves together, I with him, and he 



120 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

with me. [Four lines omitted.'] No young man do I love more. 
— Lys. He is quite a boy, you fool ; for indeed, it is not in 
fact long since his teeth fell out.— Pasi. [In surprise.] What ! 
his teeth? — Lys. It is nothing. [He goes towards his door.] 
Follow me, hither now ! He entreated that I would give you 
room at my house during one day ; and for that reason, be- 
cause my wife is in the country. [Exeunt into Lysimachus's 
house.] 



SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Demipho at the back scene, and hobbles forward. 

Dem. At length I have obtained, that I myself should 
make myself bad. A mistress has been bought for me with- 
out the knowledge of my wife and son! It is determined. 
I will have recourse to my old ways, and will delight myself. 
[Nine lines omitted of disgusting soliloquy.] My wife is waiting 
for me some time past, fasting at home. She will torture 
me with scolding if I shall have returned in-doors. But, as 
the matter is, truly and lastly, I will not go there, consider- 
ing all, but will meet this neighbour, before I may return 
home. I want that he may hire for me some house, where 
that woman may dwell. [Lysimachus's door opens.] And 
behold him ! he is going out of doors. 



SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter Lysimachus from his house. The door being open, he 
speaks to Pasicompsa within. 

Lys. I will bring him to you immediately, if I shall have 
met him. — Dem. [At a distance.] He mentions me. — Lys. 
[Turning round, and going up to Demipho.] What do you 
say, Demipho? — Dem. Is the woman at home? — Lys. What 
do you think? — Dem. What if I shall visit her? [He goes 
towards the door.] — Lys. [Stopping him with his hand.] Why 
do you hurry? Wait! — Dem. What shall I do ?— Lys. Do 
what there is need of being done! Take care to think awhile. 
Dem. Why may I think? Verily and truly I think there is 
need of this being done, that I may enter in there. — Lys. 
Why, you old wether sheep, may you go within the house? 



MERCATOR. 121 

—Dem. What else shall I do ? — Lys. Listen to this first, and 
attend! [Five lines omitted.'] May you a stinking old man, 
full of old age, and with a foul breath, kiss that young 
woman ? You, who when coming up to her, must set her 
vomiting?— Dem. What if therefore we may lay hold of 
some cook, who may cook a dinner here at your house 
against the evening. — Lys. Ah ! I am thinking of that. Now 
you speak wisely, and like a lover. — Dem. [Stepping aside.] 
Why do we stop then ? Why therefore do we not go, and look 
for provisions, that we may be pleasant? — Lys. In truth I 
follow you. And verily you will find a place for her, if you 
are wise. Certainly she shall be with me not one day 
beyond this day ! I fear my wife, if to-morrow she shall have 
returned from the country, lest she may light upon her here. 
— Dem. The thing is settled. Follow me! [Exeunt Demi- 
pho arid Lysimachus at the side scene.] 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter Charinus/tow Demipho's house. 

Cha. Am I a miserable man or not, who can no where be 
comfortably at rest? If I am at home, my mind is abroad. 
But if I am abroad, my mind is at home. For love lights 
up a fire in my breast and heart. [Four lines omitted.] But 
now at last, if Eutychus were a man with gouty feet, he 
could have returned surely from the port by this time ! 
That is the greatest fault in him, that he is too tardy a 
fellow, contrary to my wish. [He looks towards the back 
scene.] But is this he whom I see running ? It is indeed he 
himself. I will go to meet him. [He raises his hands suppli- 
cating.] O thou who art the beholder and mistress of gods 
and men, the same to all men: since thou hast offered 
me this lively hope, I return thee thanks ! [He looks anxious 
back.] Is he stopping at all ? Alas ! I have perished ! His 
countenance by no means pleases me. He now is walking 
mournful! My bosom burns! I am in doubt! Now he shakes 
his head! [He goes down the stage and calls.] Eutychus! 
[Enter Eutychus ^/row the back scene.]— Eut. Alas! Chari- 
nus. — Cha. Before you can recover your breath, speak out 
in one word! Where am I? Here, or among the dead?- — 
Euc. \You are neither among the dead, nor are you here. 



122 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

— Cha. Then I am safe. Immortality is given me. This 
friend has bought her. Finely he has tricked my father. 
There is no man that can live, more successful in obtaining. 
Tell me, I beg, if I am neither here, nor in death, where am 
I? — Eut. No where at all. — Cha. I am undone ! That speech 
has destroyed me now. It is an odious manner of speaking, 
when you may transact business, to speak far from the pur- 
port. Whatever it is, come to the material point of things. 
— Eut, First of all then, we have perished ! — Cha. Why do 
you not tell me rather what I know not? — Eut. The woman 
is taken clear off from you. — Cha. Eutychus, you commit a 
great crime ! — Eut. How ? — Cha. Because you destroy a free 
citizen, your companion and equal ! — Eut. May the gods not 
have suffered it! — Cha. You have thrust a sword into my 
throat! I shall now die. — Eut. I beg of you truly, do not cast 
down your mind ! — Cha. There is no one for whom I may 
dispirit myself. Say moreover another bad thing. Tell me, 
for whom is she bought ? — Eut. I know not. She was bid for 
and carried away, when I arrive at the port.— Cha. [Wringing 
his hands in grief. ~\ Woe to me ! You already indeed cast upon 
me burning mountains of calamity. Go on, and torture me, 
you hangman, since in fact you once began it. — Eut. There 
is not more grief to you as to that, than there has been this 
day to me. — Cha. Tell me who bought her? — Eut. I know 
not in truth. — Cha. Hah ! is it thus that a good friend should 
give his attention? — Eut. What do you wish me to do? — 
Cha. The same that you see me do, that you may perish with 
grief. Why have you not asked, what the countenance may 
have been, of the man who might have bought her? if the 
woman by that means could be traced out. — Eut. [Weeping.] 
Me miserable! — Cha. Leave off weeping at that which you 
now are guilty of. — Eut. What have I done? — Cha. You 
have destroyed me, and also your faith with me in my esti- 
mation ! — Eut. The gods know that that was not any fault in 
me. — Cha. Well done ! Heighday ! You call the absent 
gods as witnesses ! How may I believe you as to that? — Eut. 
Why it is in your own power what you may believe. What 
I may say, that I have in my power. — Cha. You are subtle 
as to that matter, so as to answer like for like. To what you 
are ordered you are lame, blind, dumb, defective, and weak. 
You promised to deceive my father! I believed that I com- 



MERCATOR. 123 

mitted the affair to a skilful man, but I commit it to a very 
dull stone.— Eut. What should I do?— Cha. What should 
you do? Do you ask me that? You should inquire, you 
should ask who he might be, or whence he might be, from 
what lineage, whether he were a citizen, or a stranger. — 
Eut. They said, that he was a citizen of Attica. — Cha. You 
should find at least where he might dwell, if you cannot find 
the name. — Eut. No one said that he knew it. — Cha. But at 
least you should find out the face of the man. — Eut. I have 
done so. — Cha. Of what appearance therefore did they say 
he was? — Eut. I will tell you. He is grey-haired, bandy- 
legged, pot-bellied, wide-mouthed, with black eyes, and 
long jaws. — Cha. You do not mention a mere man to me, but 
a treasure of evil and mischief, I know not whom. Is there 
any thing else, that you can say of him?— Eut. It is just so 
much, that I can understand. — Cha. Truly now that fellow 
with the long jaws has given me great calamity ! I cannot 
endure it. I am resolved to go hence into exile. [Three 
lines omitted.'] — Eut. But why do you take that counsel? — 
Cha. Because in truth love afflicts me. — Eut. [Five lines 
omitted.] Tell me, if you depart from this city, do you 
think that you will leave your love behind you? If that by 
chance is much cherished in your mind, and if you have it a 
fixed thing, how much better is it, that you depart to the 
country somewhere, be there, and live there, until the desire 
and love of her lets you offV — Cha. Have you spoken now? 
— Eut. I have spoken. — Cha. You have spoken in vain, this 
is a most determined thing with me. I am going home, that 
I may salute my father and mother. Afterward, unknown 
to my father, I will fly from this country, or will hit upon 
some scheme. [Exit Charinus hastily into Demipho's 
house.] — Eut. [Solus.] How suddenly he rushed away, and 
has gone ofT! Woe to me miserable! I am determined to 
order a number of criers to be hired, who may search for her, 
and may find her. Afterward I will immediately go to the 
praetor, and beg of him, that he may give me searchers in all 
the villages. For I find that nothing else is left for me now. 
[Exit Eutychus at the back scene.] 



124 M. ACCil PLAUTI 

ACTUS QUARTUS. 
SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Dorippa, Lysimachus's wife, at the side scene. 

Dor. Since a messenger came to me to the country from 
my husband, that he was not about to go to the country, I 
made up my mind, and came back here, that I may follow 
him, who flies from me. [She looks back.] But I do not see 
that that old woman of mine, Syra, is following me. And 
now behold her ! She is coming on at last. [Enter Syra 
from the side scene with a bundle of green sprigs.] Why do you 
not go faster, Syra? — Syr. By my stars I cannot, this is so 
great a load I carry. — Dor. What load do you bear ! — 
— Syr. Eighty and four years, and to that is added slavery, 
sweat, and thirst. At the same time these things that 
I carry, weigh me down. — Dor. Give me something, Syra, 
with which I may increase our neighbour's altar. — Syr. 
[Holding out a sprig.] Give now this twig of bays to iti 
— Dor. [Receiving the sp?-ig.] Do you go in-doors, Syra 1 
— Sy. I am going. [Exit Syra into Lysimachus's houce, 
hobbling and moaning.] Dor. [Lays the sprig on the altar, and 
supplicates.] O Apollo, I beseech thee, that thou mayest give 
peace propitious, and health and welfare to my family, and 
that, favourable in peace, thou mayest be kind to my son ! 
[Enter Syra from her ?nistress's house, clapping her hands.] — 
Syr. I have perished outright ! I have perished, an unhappy 
woman ! woe to me wretched ! — Dor. Pr'ythee, are you well 
in your senses ? Why do you screech out ? — Syr. O my Do- 
rippa ! Dorippa ! — Dor. Why do you cry out, I beg ? — Syr, 
A woman, I know not who, is within here in the house! — 
Dor. [Starting.] What ! a woman ! — Syr. A woman, ay 
a harlot. — Dor. Are you truly serious? — Syr. You are to 
know, that you are very wise, who have not stayed in the 
country ; Though a fool was able to perceive, thatthat woman 
is the mistress of your very fine husband.— Dor. By my stars 
I believe so. — Syr. [Going to the door, and beckoning to Do- 
rippa.] Go this way with me, that you may see at the same 
time, O my mistress Juno, Alcmena the harlot. — Dor. By 
my stars truly, I go there as fast as possible. [Exeunt Do- 
rippa and Syra into Lysimachus's house.] 



MERCATOR. 125 

S~CENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Lysimachus at the back scene. 

Lys. [Slowly advancing.'] Is it little of a bad thing, that 
Demipho is in love, but also besides, that he must be expen- 
sive ! If he should have invited ten chief men of the state to 
supper, he had too much provisions for them. But he di- 
rected the cooks, just as on the sea the boatswain is used 
to direct the rowers. I myself have hired a cook. But I 
wonder that he comes not, as I had ordered him ! [The door 
of his house opens, and he turns towards it intently.] But who 
goes out hence from our house ? There is an opening of the 
doors. [He steps back to a little distance.'] 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter Dokiyvpl from her house , weeping. 

Dor. There never will be, nor ever was a woman more 
miserable than me, who can have married such a man ! Alas ! 
wretched me ! Ah! to what husband can you commit your- 
self, and your property ? Ah ! is this the man to whom I 
brought ten talents of portion ? Oh ! that I should see these 
things, and should suffer these affronts ! — Lys. [Behind.] I 
have perished truly ! my wife has now returned from the 
country. I do believe that she has seen the woman in the 
house. But I cannot hear well from hence, what she may 
be saying. I will go up nearer. [He approaches.] — Dor. 
Woe to me miserable! — Lys. [Behind, sighing deeply.] Yea. 
and to me also! — Dor. I have perished totally ! — Lys. [Be- 
hind.] And 1 verily and truly have utterly perished, a 
wretehed man ! She has seen her. O, that all the gods may 
destroy you, Demipho ! — Dor. Indeed this is it, that my 
husband has been so unwilling to go to the country. — Lys. 
[Behind.] What shall I do now, unless that I may go up, and 
speak to her ? [He comes up on one side of her.] The husband 
salutes his wife ! People of the country become frequenters 
of the town. — Dor. Those of the country act more modestly 
than those who are not in the country. — Lys. Do those of 
this country do wrong ever 1—Dor. On my faith less than 
those in the city, and seek much less vice for themselves. — 
Lys. But in what respect have those of the city done wrong ? 



126 If. ACCII PLAUTI 

inform me. — Dor. Because that woman is within there. — Lys. 
Have you seen her? — Dor. I have seen her.— Lys. Do you 
ask whose property she is ? — Dor. I will find it out however. 
1 am eager to know that. But you, knowing it well, are try- 
ing me ! — Lys. Do you wish I may say, whose property she 
is ? That woman, that woman [he hesitates'] truly now — [he 
stops again, and speaks aside.] Woe to me ! I know not what I 
shall say. — Dor. You hesitate ! — Lys. I have not seen her 
more — [Fie stops again.] — Dor. Why do you not tell it ? — Lys. 
Moreover I will, if it may be right. — Dor. [Rapping her fan on 
her hand.] It behoved you to speak it out. — -Lys. [Stammering.] 
I am not able to tell it, you hurry me so! You press me, as if a 
guilty man. — Dor. [Sneering.] I know you are very inno- 
cent, and I am to suppose so ! — Lys. [Aside to himself.] 
Speak the matter now to her boldly, Lysy ! — Dor. Tell me 
the matter directly \~Lys. I will tell you now. — Dor. But it 
ought to be told certainly. — Lys. She is — [he stops again.] Do 
you wish also I may tell her name ? — Dor. You are doing 
nothing ! I have the matter evidently. You are a guilty man. 

— Lys. Of what crime? That woman in fact is she Dor. 

Who is she? — Lys. Why she Dor. Hillo ! ho! what? — 

Lys. Now, if there were no use in it, surely I would not say 
it! — Dor. Do you not know who she may be?— Lys. In truth 
yes, I do know. Concerning her I have been taken as a 
referee. — Dor. A referee ! Oh, now I know. You have 
called her hither into counsel to you. — Lys. Truly she is so 
given to me, as a deposit. — Dor. I understand. — Lys. In 
truth there is nothing of that — Dor. At once you are to 
clear yourself. — Lys. [Aside.] I have found too much busi- 
ness here. Truly and verily I am sticking fast ! 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter at the back scene a Cook and Scullions, with several 
baskets of raw provisio)is. 

Cook. [To the Scullions.] Come on ! Go quickly ! for a 
supper must be dressed for the old fellow the lover. And 
now I think of it again, it is to be cooked by us not for him 
to whom we are hired. [Three lines omitted.] Go ye this way! 
[They all advance towards Lysimachus's house.] But behold 
him ! Here is the old gentleman who hired us ! — Lys. [Agi- 
tated.] Now behold, I am undone ! The Cook is here. — Cook. 



MERCATOR. 127 

[To LYSiMACHus.J^We have come here to you, Sir! — Lys. 
Get you gone now! — Cook. What? get you gone? — Lys. 
[Going close to him.'] Hist! Begone now! — Cook. Must I go 
away? — Lys. [In a low voice.'] Go away! — Cook. Are you not 
about to sup? — Lys. We are now saturated with eating. 
[Aside. 1 I have perished now! — Dor. What say you? Have 
those, between whom you are made a referee, ordered these 
provisions to be brought here for you? — Cook. [To Lysima- 
chus.] Is this your harlot, whom you told me awhile ago 
you loved, when you were buying the victuals ? — Lys. [Close 
in his ear.] Do you not hold your tongue? — Cook. [Looking 
at Dorippa.] A clever enough proportion of a woman ! 
Truly she covets a husband. — Lys. Go, and be hanged, fel- 
low ! — Cook. She is not bad. — Lys. But you are bad ! — Cook. I 
think that this is a very clever concubine. — Lys. Don't you 
march off, you ? I am not he, who awhile ago hired you. — 
Cook. What is it? Yes, by jingo, you are the very same man 
as to that. — Lys. [Aside.] Woe to wretched me! — Cook. Now 
your wife is in the country, whom you had said awhile ago 
that you hated, as much as you did serpents. — Lys. Have I 
said that to you? — Cook. To me, by jingo, and truly. — Lys. 
[To her.] So shall Jupiter love me, wife, as I never said that 
thing ! — Dor. Do you now deny it? — Cook. [To her.] He did 
not say that he hated you, but his own wife. — Dor. [To her 
husband.] Those things are become public, that you hate me. 
Lys. But now I deny that. — Cook. And he said that his wife 
was in the country. — Lys. [Pointing to Dorippa.] This is 
that wife. Why are you troublesome to me? — Cook. Be- 
cause you say that you have not known me. But are you 
afraid of that woman? — Lys. I am wise enough, for she is 
my only companion. — Cook. Do you wish to try me? — Lys. 
I don't wish it. — Cook. Give me my wages then ! — Lys. Ask 
it to-morrow, and it shall be given. Go away now! — Dor. 
[In tears.] Alas ! me miserable ! — Lys. [ Aside.] Now I find 
that old phrase to be true, that some evil comes on account 
of a bad neighbour. — Cook. [To his men.] Why do we stand 
here? Why don't we go? [To Lysimachus.] If any mis- 
chief happens to you, it is not my fault. — Lys. Why you are 
tearing me to pieces, wretched as I am. — Cook. I know now, 
what you may want; that is, you wish me to go from hence. 
— Lys. I do wish it, I say. — Cook. I will go away, but give 



3 28 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

me a drachma first. — Lys. It shall be given. — Cook. Order it 
therefore to be given at once. It can be given in the interim, 
while these men are putting down the stores. — Lys. But do 
you not go away? Is it possible, you cannot be a trouble- 
some man? — Cook. [To the men.'] Come here, put down the 
provisions at the feet of that old fellow ! [To Lysimachus.] 
These baskets I will order to be got from you either by and 
by, or to-morrow ! [The baskets are put down.'] [To the men.] 
Follow me ! [Exeunt Cook and Scullions at the back scene.] 
— Lys. Perhaps it is the case, that you wonder at that Cook, 
because he came and brought these things. I will tell you 
what the matter is. — Dor. I do not wonder that you do any 
thing of injury or crime. Nor truly will I bear it, that I 
should thus be treated in marriage, so ill, and that harlots 
should be introduced thus into my house. [She goes to the 
door of her house and calls out.] Syra ! Syra! [Enter Syra 
from the bouse.] Go, and ask my father in my words, that he 
may come to me now directly, together with you hither! — 
Syr. I am going ! [She hobbles off at the side scene.] Lys. [Agi- 
tated.] You know not, wife, what business this may be, and 
I implore you — I will now give my oath in set words, that I 
never had communication with that woman. [He looks at the 
side scene.] Has Syra now departed ? In truth I have perished ! 
[Exit Dorippa into her house.] But behold ! this woman also 
has gone away ! Woe to wretched me ! But thou neighbour 
of mine, may all the gods and goddesses destroy you with 
your harlot, and your curst love! He has loaded me with a 
suspicion most unworthily. He has stirred up enemies to 
me. At home my wife is most furious. [He meditates awhile.] 
I will go to the Forum, and tell these things to Demipho, 
and that I will drag that woman by the hair of her head into 
he street, unless he carries her off from hence, wherever he 
chooses, out of this house. [He goes to the door of his house and 
calls.] Wife! hillo there! Wife! Though you are enraged at 
me, order, if you can be wise, these provisions to be carried 
hence within-doors ! [He returns from the door.] With this 
same supper it will be in our power by and by to sup very 
comfortably together. [Exit Lysimachus at the back scene. 
Servants come out of the house, and carry in the baskets of pro- 
visions.] 



MERCATOU. 129 

SCENA QUINTA. 

Enter Syra at the side scene* 

Syr. {Leaning on her stick.] At the place where my mistress 
sent me to her father, I find he is not at home. They said, 
that he had gone away to the country. Now I am bringing 
back the account home. [She goes towards her mistress's house, 
and stops there to rest herself. Enter JLvTYcnvsfrom an oppo- 
site side scene.] Eut. I am wearied from hunting through the 
whole city, and cannot trace out any thing concerning that 
woman. [He looks across, and sees Syra.] Now my mother has 
returned from the country, for I observe Syra to stand before 
the house! [He calls out .] Syra! Syra! — Syr. [Looks about .] 
Who is it that calls me ? — Eut. I am your master, and your 
foster-child I— Syr. Health to you, my child ! — Eut. Has my 
mother now returned from the country ? Answer me. — Syr. 
For her own very great safety indeed, and that of her family ! 
— Eut. What business is that? — Syr. Your very fine father 
has brought a mistress in-doors into the house? — Eut. How 
do you know ? — Syr. Your mother coming from the country 
found her at home. — Eut. In truth I did not think that my 
father was a man of those employments. Is the woman now 
still within? — Syr. Yes. — Eut, Follow me! [Exit Eutychus 
into his father's house.] 

SCENA SEXTA. 

Syr. [Sola.] By my stars women live with a hard restric- 
tion, miserable truly, and a more unjust one than men do. 
For if a husband has introduced a harlot unknown to his 
wife, even if the wife has found it out, it is with impunity to 
the husband. If a wife has gone away from her husband 
secretly out of doors from home, cause is made for the hus- 
band, and she is driven out from wedlock. I wish that there 
were the same law for the husband, that is for the wife ! As 
a wife that is good, is content with one husband, why may 
not a husband be content with one wife? My stars! I would 
have caused, that husbands may be punished, if any one of 
them shall have secretly from his wife introduced a harlot; 
in the same way as those women are driven out, who are 



130 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

guilty of a crime in regard to themselves. And then more 
men would be deprived of their homes, than there are now 
women deprived. [Exit Syr a into her mistress's house.] 



ACTUS QUINTUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

The stage is darkened. Enter Charinus hastily from tin 
back scene, muffled in a long cloak. 

Cha. [Advancing to the front.'] O upper and lower temple 
of creation, hail ! At the same time farewell ! This day I 
carry away my last step from my native home. All advan- 
tage, product, provision, and improvement of this house, 
[points to his father's house] is now cut off from me, de- 
stroyed, and alienated; and I have perished. [Lifts up his 
hands.] O ye gods penates of my parents ! and thou, O Lar, 
the protector of my family, to you I recommend, that ye 
may well defend the property of my parents ' I shall now 
follow other gods penates as my protectors, another Lar, 
another city, and another state. I detest the Attic ter- 
ritories. For in a place where worse manners daily increase, 
where you cannot be able to distinguish, who may be 
friendly, and who may be faithless, and where that may be 
snatched away which can chiefly please your inclination, 
there truly such a country is not desirable, even if the king- 
dom be given one. [He stands on one side in front in deep 
thought.] 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Eutychus from Lysimachus his father's house. 

Eut. [With his hands lifted up.] O thou, who art the be- 
holder and mistress of gods and men, the same to all men, I 
give thee thanks that thou hast offered to me this blessed 
hope! Is there any god who may be joyful with my joy? 
What I sought, was at home. There six companions are ; 
life, friendship, country, joy, sport, and joke ! By the find- 



MERCATOR. 131 

ing of them I have destroyed ten very bad affairs at once, 
anger, enmity, folly, ruin, perverseness, grief, tears, banish- 
ment, poverty, and solitude ! Grant me, ye gods, I beg, a 
speedy opportunity of meeting that man, my dear friend ! — 
Cha. [In front.'] I am prepared. I cast away pride. I my- 
self am companion to myself, servant, horse, groom, esquire. 
I myself am my own commander, I myself the same am 
obedient to myself. [Three lines omitted.] — Eut. [Standing 
at a distance at the other side.] I am thinking where I shall 
run to seek him. — Cha. [In front.] It is a certain thing that 
I will always seek her, wheresoever in the world she has 
been carried off from hence, and neither shall any river stop 
me, nor mountain, nor the sea besides. INTor shall heat stop 
me, nor do I fear cold, nor storm, nor hail. I will bear the 
rain, and will sustain labour, the sun's heat, and thirst. I 
will not give up, nor be at rest, any where by night, nor by 
day, before I shall have traced out in reality either my mis- 
tress, or my death. — Eut. I know not whose voice now flew 
to my ear ! — Cha. I call upon you, ye gods of the roads, 
that ye may protect me well ! — Eut. [At a distance.] O Ju- 
piter, is that Charinus there ? — Cha. O ye citizens, fare ye 
well ! [He passes down the stage on the opposite side from 
Eutychus.] — Eut. Stop instantly, Charinus ! — Cha. [Still 
going on.] Who calls me back? — Eut. Hope, Safety, and 
Victory. — Cha. What do ye all want as to me ? — Eut. To 
go along with you. — Cha. [Stopping.] Seek ye another com- 
panion ! These companions that hold me, do not let me go. 
— Eut. Who are they l—Cha. Care, Misery, Sickness, Tears, 
and Lamentation. — Eut. Reject those companions, and look 
back here, and return. — Cha. If you wish to talk with me, 
now follow me close ! [He continues his way towards the back 
scene. ,]—Eut. Stop at once ! — Cha. [Stopping again.] You do 
wrong, who delayest me when hastening. The sun is gone 
down. — Eut. If you were to hurry here also, as you are 
hurrying there, you may do more properly. The wind is 
favourable now to come hither, only take the helm ! Here 
is the serene west wind, but there is the rainy south. The 
one makes calmness, the other stirs up all the waves. 
[Charinus returns to the front near Eutychus.] [Five lines 
omitted.] Stretch out your arm now ! Take hold of mine ! 
[Charinus in the dark takes hold of Eutychus's arm.] Do 



132 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

you now hold me? — Cha. I do hold you — Eut. Hold me 
still! Where were you going just now? — Cha. To banish 
myself. — Eut. What do you go there to do? — Cha. What a 
wretched man can do!— Eut. Fear not! I will now restore 
you into joys before you go. — Cha. Now I am going ! — Eut. 
Hear that which you chiefly wish to hear, and which you 
may rejoice at! [Charinus goes away in disbelief.'] Stop 
instantly ! I come as a friend, wishing very well to you. — 

Cha. [Stops.] What is it? — Eut. As to your mistress 

Cha. [Eagerly.] What as to her? — Eut. I know where she 
may be. — Cha. Do you know, I beg? — Eut. And that she is 
well and safe. — Cha. Where do you know her to be safe? — 
Eut. In a place where I know her to be. — Cha. I had rather 
that I knew it. — Eut. Can you be but of a calm mind? — 
Cha. What if my mind is in uncertainty? — Eut. I will place 
it in tranquillity and safety. Fear not now ! — Cha. I be- 
seech you, speak where it may be, that you can have seen 
her. [A pause.] Why are you silent ? Say it now ! You tor- 
ture wretched me with your closeness. — Eut. [Looking 
about.] It is not far distant hence from us. — Cha. Why do 
you not therefore shew it, if you see it? — Eut. [Looking in 
the face of his friend.] I do not in truth see it now, but I 
saw it awhile ago. — Cha. Why do you not cause that I may 
see it? — Eut. I will cause that to be. — Cha. That is a dis- 
tant thing to a lover. — Eut. Are you still afraid? I will shew 
you all things. No one lives more friendly to me than he 
is who has her, nor is there any one, whom it may be more 
proper, that I should wish very well to. — Cha. I care not for 
that, I seek for her. — Eut. Concerning her therefore I speak 
to you. — Cha. Say therefore where is she ? — Eut. In our 
house! — Cha. If you speak true, I judge it to be a good 
house, and handsomely constructed. But why may I be- 
lieve that? do you report it from hearsay ? — Eut. I myself 
have seen her. — Cha. Who carried her to your house .— Eut. 
You ask a wrong question. [Five lines omitted, as tedious.] — 
Cha. But why do I not cast off this apparel? [He goes up 
to his own door, Demipho's.] Hillo! Some one of you go 
out of doors hither immediately, and bring me hither a short 
cloak from thence ! — Eirt. Hah ! Now how much you please 
me ! [Enter a Servant Boy with a short cloak in his hand 
from Demipho's house.]— Cha. Welcome, my boy, take this 



MERCATOJi. 133 

long cloak, and the'se things ! [He pulls off his long cloak 
and belt, gives them to the Boy, and takes the short cloak and 
puts it on."] Stand in that place, boy, now at once, that if 
these things may not be true, I may go on to perform this 
my intended journey. — Eut. Do you not believe me ? — Cha. 
I believe all things indeed that you tell me. But why do 
you not conduct me to her within, that I may see her? — 
Eut. Wait awhile! — Cha. Why shall I wait?— Eut. It is not 
the proper time of going within. — Cha. You torture me ! — 
Eut. There is no need, I say, that you should go within- 
doors now. — Cha. Answer me, for what reason ? Eut. It is 
not time for the business. — Cha. Why? — Eut. Because it is 
not convenient to her. — Cha. Is it so? Is it not convenient 
to her who loves me ? and whom I love in return ? This man 
plays upon me in all ways ! I am very foolish who can be- 
lieve him ! He delays me. I will resume my long cloak 
again. — Eut. Wait a little and hear this \~Cha. [Calling to 
the Boy.~] Boy, take back this short cloak ! [He gives back 
the short cloak, and puts on the long one again.'] — Eut. My 
mother is violently angry with my father, that he should 
have brought a harlot before her eyes into the house, while 
she herself is absent in the country, and suspects that she 
is his mistress. She is now searching the matter out 
within. — Cha. Now is the sword in hand ! — Eut. But if I 

were to introduce you there now Cha. I have nothing to 

do with your bombast, and I am off from hence ! [He begins 
to hurry away. — Eut. Stay, stay, Charinus ! — Cha. [Stop- 
ping.] You are in error. You cannot deceive me. — Eut. 
Nor indeed am I at all willing to do so. — Cha. Why do you 
not therefore suffer me to pursue my journey ? — Eut. I do 
not suffer you. — Cha. I am delaying. [Calls out.] You, Boy, 
begone hence in-doors very quickly ! [Exit Boy into De- 
mipho's house.] Now I have mounted into the chariot! 
Now I have taken the reins into my hands ! — Eut. Are you 
not in your senses ? — Cha. Now ye feet of mine, why do ye 
not throw yourselves into the chariot straightway for 
Cyprus ? since my father prepares banishment for me.— Eut. 
You are silly! Be unwilling, pr'ythee, to say that. — Cha. I 
am determined to follow on, that I may resume my intention 
to trace her'out, wherever she may be.— Eut. Why, she is at 
home ! — Cha. Certainly what this man has said, he spoke it 



134 M. ACC1I PLAUTI 

falsely. — Eut. Verily I have said true things to you. — Cha. 
[Rowing again.] Now I have come to Cyprus ! — Eut. But 
do thou follow me, that you may see her whom you seek 
for. — Cha. Having inquired, I have not found her. — Eut. I 
now set aside the anger of my mother.— Cha, I go on more- 
over to seek her. Now I have arrived at Chalcis ! I see 
then my host in Zacynthus ! I tell him why I may have 
come there. I ask who may have carried her, who may 
have her, if there he may have heard of her ? — Eut. Why do 
you not discard that bad nonsense, and walk with me 
hither within-doors ? [Three lines omitted.'] — Cha. I embark 
in a ship. I set sail immediately. Now I am at home ! I 
have now returned from banishment. [He comes up in a 
friendly manner, and shakes hands with Eutychus.] Health 
to you, my friend Eutychus? How have you been in health? 
What ! Are my parents well ? You answer, a supper shall 
be given. You invite me well, I reply. You speak kindly. 
To-morrow I will sup with you ; but at present at home. 
So it is decent. So it ought to be done. — Eut. Hillo ! 
what ! are you dreaming ? This man is not in his senses ! — 
Cha. Why then as a friend, do you not hasten to cure me ? 
— Eut. Follow me now! — Cha. I follow! [Eutychus goes 
slowly towards his house, Charinus follows impatient close 
behind.] — Eut. Softly, I beg ! You are treading on my heels. 
Do you hear me ? — Cha. 1 have heard you this long time 
past ! — Eut. [Turning his head and stopping.] I want peace 
to be settled towards my father along with my mother ; for 
now she is enraged. — Cha. [Shoving him toivards the house.] 

Go on now ! — Eut. On account of her, I say Cha. 

[Thumping his back.] Go now ! — Eut. And therefore mind 

yourself Cha. [Pushing him vehemently toivards the house.] 

But therefore go you now ! I will make her as kind directly, 
as when Juno is kind to Jupiter ! [Exit Eutychus into his 
father's house, Charinus thumping him forward, and treading 
on his heels, and thus heunt ambo.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter Demipho and Lysimachus at the back scene. 

Dem> [While they both are advancing.] As if you may never 
have done anything like this deed of mine ! — Lys. In truth, 



MERCATOR. 135 

never. I took care that I should not do any thing. I am 
scarce alive, wretched as I am! For my wife on account of 
that woman is all in a ferment. — Dem. But I will clear you, 
that she may not be angry. — Lys. Follow me ! [They go to- 
wards Lysimachus's house.] But I see my son going out 
there ! [ They go aside together.'] 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter Eutychus from his father's house, he turns about, 
and speaks to his friend within. 

Eut. I will go to my father, that he may know, that my 
mother's anger against him is appeased. I return immedi- 
ately. [He turns away, and the door is shut.] — Lys. [To De- 
mipho.] The beginning pleases me. [They both go up to 
Eutychus.] What are you doing? What happens, Euty- 
chus ? — Eut. You both have come most opportunely ! — Lys. 
What is the matter? — Eut. Your wife is calm and appeased. 
Give me your right hand now ! [He shakes hands with each of 
them.]— Lys. The gods are preserving me. — Eut. [To De- 
mipho.] I bring you word, that you have no mistress. — Dem. 
May the gods destroy you ! What business in truth is that, 
pr'ythee ? — Eut. I will speak it out. Therefore attend ye both 
of you! — Lys. Now we both give attention to you. [Three 
lines omitted.]— Eut. [Addressing Demipho.] It had not 
been a proper thing at your age, from your son, a young man 
in love, to snatch away a mistress bought with his own 
money! — Dem. What do you say! is she the mistress of 
Charinus ? — Eut. [Aside.] How the old villain dissembles! — 
Dem. He indeed had told me, that he bought her as a servant- 
maid to his mother. — Eut. Therefore have you bought her 
on that account? You are a new lover, and an old boy ! — 
Lys. [Laughing.] In truth very well ! [To Eutychus.] Go 
on still ! I will assist you from this on both sides of him ! 
[They stand on each side of Demipho.] Let us both load 
him constantly with words, that he is worthy of ! — Dem. I 
am annihilated ! — Lys. Lo ! he who did to his innocent son 
so great an injury ! — Eut. Whom indeed I truly, when he 
was going into banishment, brought back home ! For he was 
going to banish himself. — Dem. Has he gone away ! — Lys. 
Are you still talking, you old sprite ? At that age it did be- 



136 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 



withhold i 



-Dem. 



[ confess I have 
done wrong in truth. — Eut. What still are you speaking, you 
evil spirit? At that age it became you to be free from those 
crimes ! In the same manner as the different time of the year, 
so different conduct suits a different time of life. [Four lines 
omitted.] Give back the girl to your son, that he may have 
her to himself. — Dem. Now as he wishes, it is lawful through 
me, that he may have her to himself. Let him take punish- 
ment into his own hands, as he chooses, on account of this 
injury, only do you make peace, that he may not be angry 
with wretched me. If I could have known in truth, or it 
could have been said to me, even in ajoke/jthat he loved her, 
I would never effect, that I should carry her away from her 
lover. Eutychus, as you are his friend, I entreat you, pre- 
serve me, and assist me. Make me your client ! You shall 
say, that I am mindful of the kindness. — Lys. Entreat him, 
do, that he may pardon your misdemeanors, and your 
youthful age ! — Dem. [In an angry mood to Lysimachus.] But 
are you persisting now, a heighday, to attack me thus con- 
tumeliously ! I hope that such a time may arrive to me also, 
that I may pay back to you a like favour. — Lys. I have now 
dismissed those arts. — Dem. And truly I from this time forth. 
Lys. That is nothing! By custom your mind will again bring 
you to this ! — Dem. I beseech you, that ye may now have sa- 
tisfaction concerning it. Moreover, flog me with whips even, 
if it pleases you to do so! — Lys. You speak rightly now. 
But your wife will do that for you, when she shall have known 
this matter. Dem. [Alarmed.'] Surely there is no need that 
she may know it. — Eut. What is that? Come then, she shall 
not know of it. Fear thou not! Let us go in-doors, as this 
place is not proper for your deeds to be spoken of, and while 
we are talking, we are not aware, that there may be judges, 
who may pass by along the streets. — Dem. Oddsbobs ! but 
you say rightly ! By that same proceeding our story will be the 
shorter! Let us go! — Eut. Your Son is here within with us. 
— Dem. It is excellent well ! We will pass that way through 
the garden, home. — Lys. Eutychus, I wish this affair to be 
transacted, before I return within-doors. — Eut. What is 
that? — Lys. Answer me ; do you know for certain that 
your mother is not angry with me ? — Eut. I know it. — Lys. 
Take care as to that ! — Eut. See me now ! [Holds up his head 



JVIERCATOR. 137 

in confidence.'] — Lysf I am satisfied. But I beg truly now, 
still take care ! — Eut. Do you not believe me ? — Lys. Yes, I 
believe you, but nevertheless I wretched fear. — Dem. Let us 
go in-doors ! |! — Eut. Verily, let us mention laws for old men, as I 
think, before we may go, which laws they must keep, and be 
contented. He who shall be sixty years of age, if we shall 
know any such, whether a husband, or indeed a bachelor, 
to commit fornication, we will act with him by the law here, 
and we will judge him to be a fool. And let not any one 
hereafter prohibit his son, a young man, but that he may be 
in love, if he chooses it ! Let this law therefore restrain old 
men, as it were from this night, for the first time ! [To the 
Audience.] Fare ye well in kindness ! And, ye young men, 
if this law pleases you, it is proper, truly on account of the 
work of our old men here, that you loudly applaud us, and 
clap your hands. 



END OF THE MERCATOR. 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 
PSEUDOLUS. 



CHARACTERS IN THE COMEDY. 

Simo, an old Gentleman of Athens, father of Calidorus. 

Calidorus, son o/Simo, in love with Phsenicium. 

Charinus, a friend of Calidorus. 

Pseu dolus, a crafty servant o/'Simo and Calidorus. 

Simia, a sycophant and cheat. 

Callipho, a friend of Simo. 

Ballio, a pimp, to whom Phsenicium belongs. 

Ph^nicium, the mistress of Calidorus. 

A Cook. 

Servants of Ballio, 

A Boy belongifig to Ballio. 

Harpax, aservant of Polymachaeroplacides, amilitary man. 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 
PSEUDOLUS. 



Scene. — A street in Athens, with houses and temples. Bal- 
lio's house on one side, and Simo's on the other, with doors 
opposite. 



ACTUS PRIMUS. 
SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter from Simo's house, Calidorus and Pseudolus. 

Pseu. If from you being silent, master, I could become 
more certain, what miseries so wretchedly vex you, I would 
willingly have spared the task of two men, of myself of ask- 
ing you, and of you of answering me. Now, since that may 
not be, necessity compels me, that I may ask you. Answer 
me, what is the reason, that you now for many days past 
carry letters about with you, wash them with your tears, and 
do not make any one a sharer of your purpose. Speak it 
out, that what I am ignorant of, I may know along with you. 
— Cal. I am wretchedly miserable, Pseudolus ! — Pseu. May 
Jupiter keep that from you ! — Cal. This does not belong to 
the judgment of Jupiter. Under the dominion of Venus I 
am beaten, not under that of Jupiter ! — Pseu* Is it lawful for 
me to know it, what it may be? For before this you held 
me, as chief companion to your counsels. — Cal. My dispo- 
sition is the same now. — Pseu. Acquaint me what grievance 
you have ! I will assist you either with money, or by my 
efforts, or with good counsel. — Cal. Take these letters [hands 
them to him]. Do you yourself inform yourself, what misery 
and care wastes me away ! — Pseu. Compliance shall be given 
you. [He looks at the letters.] But what is this, I beg? — Cal. 
What is it ? — Pseu. I do truly believe, that, unless the sybil 
u 



142 M. ACCII PLAUTl 

can have read them, no one else can interpret them.— Cal. 
Why do you speak severely of these clever letters? clever 
epistles written by a skilful hand? — Pseu. [Looking at a letter.] 
I beseech you now, have the poultry kind hands also ? for 
certainly a hen wrote these! — Cal. You are odious to me! 
Read or return the letters. — Pseu. Yes, in truth I will read 
them through. Apply your mind now! — Cal. It is absent. 
— Pseu. But do you summon it ! — Cal. I in fact will be silent. 
Do you summon it hence from the wax, for my mind is there 
now, and not in my breast. — Pseu. [After reading awhile.'] 
I see your mistress now, Calidorus ! — Cal. [Looking about.] 
Where is she, I beg?— Pseu. Behold her stretched in the 
letters, she is lying on the wax ! — Cal. But may the gods and 
goddesses, you now such as you are Pseu. Have pre- 
served from harm truly ! — Cal. I was for a while as the green 
herb in summer. Suddenly I rose, and suddenly I fell. — 
Pseu. Be silent, while I read the letters through ! — Cal. 
Therefore why do you not read them? — Pseu. [Reading.] 
" Phaenicium, through wax, and linen, and letters, her inter- 
preters, sends salutation to her lover Calidorus, and seeks 
safety from thee, weeping with a fluttering mind, and heart, 
and breast." — Cal. [Clapping his hands together.] I have pe- 
rished ! Nowhere do I find safety, Pseudolus ; that which 
I may send back to her. — Pseu. What safety? — Cal. That 
of money. Read now! I will cause you to know now, how 
suddenly there must be need to me of money being found. 
Pseu. [Reading on.] "The Pimp has sold me to a Mace- 
donian officer abroad for twenty pounds, my dear love ! And 
before he departed hence, the officer had given fifteen 
pounds, and now only five pounds remain unpaid. On that 
account the soldier left here a token, his own image ex- 
pressed from a ring in wax, that the person who might bring 
a token like it hither, should send me along with it. For 
that affair this day is appointed, being the nearest Dionysian 
day." — Cal. Those festivals are to-morrow truly. Ruin is 
near me, unless I have some help in you.— Pseu. Suffer me 
to read the letter through. — Cal. I permit you, for now I 
seem to talk with her. [Seven lines omitted.] — Pseu. [Reading.] 
" Distraction, separation, and ruin is coming, unless I have 
some safety in you, or you in me. All these things that I 
have known, I have taken care that you should know. Now 



PSEUDOLUS. 143 

I shall try you, how far you may love, and how much you 
may pretend it \ Farewell !" — Cal. That is written in misery, 
Pseudolus ! — Pseu. In great misery surely ! — Cal. Why do 
you not weep then ? — Pseu. I have eyes as dry as pumice. 
I cannot prevail on them, that they may bring up one tear 
only. — Cal. And why thus? — Pseu. My family was always 
dry-eyed"! — Cal. Do you not dare to assist me ? — Pseu. What 
shall I do for you?— Cal. Alas \~Pseu. Alas ? Oh! I will 
give you that truly and verily, you are not to spare that ! — 
Cal. I am wretched ! I find no where money to borrow, 
Pseudolus ! — Pseu. [Lifting hands and eyes.] Alas ! alas ! — 
Cal. Nor is there any money within ! — Pseu. Alas ! — Cal. 
And he is about to carry away the woman to-morrow! — 
Pseu. O dear ! Alas ! — Cal. In that way now do you assist 
me? — Pseu. I give you that which I have. For that Alas is 
a perpetual treasure in our house ! — Cal. It is all over with 
me this day. But can you now only give me some drachmas 
to borrow, which to-morrow I will return you ? — Pseu. 
Scarcely in truth do I think I can do it, even if I shall 
give myself as a pledge. But what do you wish to do from 
having a drachma? — Cal. I want to buy a rope for myself. 
— Pseu. For what reason ? — Cal. That I may hang myself. 
I am determined before night to embrace darkness. — Pseu. 
Who therefore will give me back my drachma, if I shall 
have given it you? Whether do you not wish to hang your- 
self on purpose for that reason, that you may defraud me 
of my drachma, if I shall have given it you ? — Cal. Certainly 
by no means can I live, if she is removed, and carried off 
from me. [He weeps.] — Pseu. Why do you weep, you goose 
you ? You shall live \—Cal. Why should I not weep ? who 
have neither a coin of silver ready, nor can I have the hope 
of a farthing any where in the world. — Pseu. As far as I un- 
derstand the real meaning of the letters, unless you may 
have wept for her in tears of silver drachmas, as to what by 
your tears you want yourself to make out, it is of no more 
signification, than if you were to pour water into a sieve. 
But truly now, fear not, I will not forsake you, loving as you 
do ! I hope that with some good effort, or with an endeavour 
now, that I shall find for you aid of money from some place 
or other, this day. And I know not from whence I shall 
say, that that is to be, unless that it is to be. For so far my 



144 M. ACCIX PLAUTI 

presumption rises. — CaL I wish that deeds may aid the 
words that you say ! In you are now all the hopes of my 
life. — Pseu. Is it enough, if I get this woman for you to-day, 
so that she may be yours, or if I give you twenty pounds? 
— CaL Enough, if it is really to be. — Pseu. Ask of me twenty 
pounds ! That you may know, that I will get for you what I 
promised ; ask of me, I beseech you truly ! I delight to 
promise. — CaL Will you give me to-day twenty pounds of 
money, Pseudolus? — Pseu. I will give them, and now be not 
troublesome to me any more ! And lest you may deny that 
this was said to you, I tell you beforehand, I will touch 
your father for it, if I shall be able to touch no one else ! — 
CaL May all the gods preserve you to me ! But if you can, 
for the sake of propriety you may touch even my mother 
also ! — Pseu. Concerning that matter, go to rest on either 
eye ! — CaL On either eye is it, or on either ear? — Pseu. This 
word of mine is less in vulgar use. Then lest any one may 
deny that it was said to them, I declare to all men, that at 
this day they may guard against me, and must not trust 
me. — CaL [Looking at the Pimp's door.] Hist ! Be silent 
truly, I beg ! — Pseu. What is the matter? — CaL The Pimp's 
door has cracked ! — Pseu. I should wish rather now, that his 
legs had cracked ! — CaL And now he himself is going out, 
a totally perjured villain ! [They retire some way back.] 



SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Ballio the Pimp from his house, driving before him with 
a thong-whip some ragged-looking sei-vants. 

Ball. Get out there ! [Lashes two or three of them.] Get 
on ! Go, you lazy wretches ! badly accustomed, and bad 
minded, to any of whom nothing ever occurred to do what 
is right ! [Three lines omitted.] Fellows, who have these in- 
tentions, and this is their work, when an opportunity is 
given, snatch, pilfer, catch, plunder, drink, eat, and run 
away. So that you may choose rather to have wolves 
among sheep, than these as guards at home. [Ten lines 
omitted.] See how they are minding other matters ! Mind ye 
this! Attend to this matter! Cock your ears hither, ye 



PSEUDOLUS. 145 

stripe-worthy race of men ! Odds-curse, your back will 
never be harder than this leathern cat-o'-nine-tails of mine ! 
[He fogs a fellow who writhes and roars."] How now ? Does it 
pain you? Aha! So it is applied, if any slave despises his 
master. Stand up, all of you, opposite me here, and mind 
what 1 say! [Six lines omitted.'] When I return from the 
Forum, see that I may find all the things prepared, and that 
all things may be nice, and well cooked. For this is my 
birth-day. It becomes you all to celebrate it together. , I 
wish in fact to receive some great men very magnificently, 
that they may suppose I have property. Go away in-doors, 
and get ready these things quickly, lest there be any delay 
when the cook may come to me! [The servants go into the 
Pimp's house, all except a Boy.] I am going into the market, 
that whatever fish is there, I may buy it up at any price. 
Go before me, boy ! Caution is necessary, lest any one may 
cut my purse. Or wait there ! There is something that I 
almost forgot to say at home. [The rest of this scene on the 
part of Ballio is so disgusting, that it must be omitted.] 
[Exit Ballio into his house.] 



SCENA TERTIA. 

Calidorus and Pseudolus advance a little way forward. 

Cal. Do you not hear, Pseudolus, what this man says ? — 
Pseu. Truly, master, I hear him, and am applying my mind 
to it. For some time past I with him, and he with me, are 
in good will together, and there is an old friendship between 
us. I will carry on against this fellow to-day on his birth- 
day a great scheme of malignity, and a well matured one. — 
Cal. What need is there of it? — Pseu. Cannot you mind 
something else now ? — Cal. But ! — Pseu. Hubbub but ! — 
Cal. I am wretched-hearted ! — Pseu. Harden your heart 
then ! — Cal. I cannot. — Pseu. See that you can. — Cal. By 
what means can I be able to subdue my mind 1—Pseu. Mind 
rather the good that may be, than think in your mind about 
adversity. — Cal. Those things are nonsense! It is not 
pleasant to a lover, unless the lover acts like a fool. — Pseu. 
Are you going on still! — Cal. O, my Pseudolus, suffer me 



146 M. ACCIl PLAUTI 

to be an idiot! Permit me !— Pseu. Suffer yourself as to 
that ; only let me depart ! [He steps away, as if going off.'] — 
Cal. Stay ! stay ! Now as you shall wish me to be, so I will 
be! [Pseudolus returns to him.] — Pseu. Now you are wise ! 

Enter B a llio from his house. 

Ball. The day is going away. I am giving delay to my- 
self! [He addresses the Boy, who had been standing near the 
door.] Go before me, boy ! [The Boy walks slowly towards the 
back scene before him.]— Cal. [To Pseudolus.] Harkye ! he 
has gone from hence! Why don't you call him back? — Pseu. 
Why do you hurry ? softly ! — Cal. But before he can get 
away. — Ball. [Tq the Boy.] W T hat is this curse? You go too 
slowly, boy ! — Pseu. [Calling.] Hillo you ! Infant ! Infant 
babe! I call to you! Harkye, you new-born baby, come 
back, and look at us ! Although you are busy, we stop you. 
Stay, I say ! Those are here, who want to speak with you ! 
— Ball. [Turning round.] What is this? Who is it, that gives 
me troublesome delay, when so busy? — Cal. He who was a 
preserver to you ! — Ball. He who was so, is dead. He who 
is now, is alive. — Pseu. That is too proud ! — Ball. You are 
too troublesome ! [He turns away, and goes on.] — Cal. [To 
Pseudolus.] Call him to account! Follow him up ! — Ball. 
Go on, boy! — Pseu. Let us go this way, and meet him. 
[They go down by the side scenes, and confront him.]— Ball. 
May Jupiter destroy you, whoever you are ! — Pseu. I want 
you. — Ball. But I see you both. Turn yourself this way, 
boy. [He walks another way.] — Pseu. Is it not possible to 
talk with you? — Ball. But it does not please me. — Cal. But 
if it is any thing to your advantage ! — Ball. Then it is lawful. 
[He walks on again.] — Pseu. Harkye, wait! [Takes Ballio 
by the arm.] — Ball. Let me go ! — Cal. Ballio, hear me ! — 
Ball. I am deaf. On my truth you are talking in vain. — 
Cal. I gave you money while I had it.— Ball. 1 don't ask 
you for what you gave ! — Cal. I will give you cash, when I 
shall have it. — Ball. [With indifference.] Bring it me, when 
you shall have it. — Cal. Alas ! Alas ! In what a vile way I 
have lost that which I brought to you, and which I gave 
you ! — Ball. Your money defunct, you are now talking about 
it ! You are a fool. You are transacting a business, that's 



PSEUDOLUS. 147 

over. — jfseu. Acknowledge him at least, who he is! — Ball. 
I know a long time who he has been ; now let himself know 
who he is ! Walk away you ! [He pushes away Calidorus, - 
as he walks.] [Here twelve lines are omitted.] — Pseu. But do 
you know what we wish of you ? — Ball. Why I know it 
pretty nearly. That I may have some loss certainly ! — Pseu. 
It is both that and this. Now, as to what we call you back 
for, attend to me, I beg ! — Ball. I hear. But as I am now 
busied, compress into a few words what you may want. — 
Pseu. It shames him, as to what he promised you, that he 
gave not yet to you the twenty pounds for his mistress, and 
on the day in which he promised it. — Ball. That is easier 
borne by much that shames a man, than that which grieves 
him. It shames him here, that he has not given me the 
money ; it grieves me that I have not received it. — Pseu. 
But he will give it. He will get it. Wait only these some 
days ! [Twenty lines omitted, the scene being too long.'] — Cal. 
All men fear to trust me. — Ball. I have the same rule, I fear 
to trust. — Pseu. To trust indeed ! harkye you! Does it not 
repent you, thinking of how great use he may have been to 
you? — Ball. No lover is a proper one, unless he who per- 
petuates gifts, and gives constantly. When there may be 
nothing to give, let him cease to love at the same time ! 
[Twelve lines omitted] — Cal. Is thus the favour so badly re- 
turned from you, to me well deserving your kindness? — 
Ball. What now do you want? — Cal. That you may wait 
these six days only at farthest, and may not sell her, and 
may not ruin me, a man in love ! — Ball. Be of good courage ! 
I will wait even six months. — Cal. [Rubbing his hands m 
joy.] Well done ! O most clever man ! — Ball. But do you 
wish, that from a joyful man, I may make you still more 
rejoicing? — Cal. What is it now? — Ball. Because indeed I 
have not Phsenicium now to be sold \—Cal. You have not? 
— Ball. I have not, truly and verily. — Cal. [Turning to 
Pseudolus.] Get the victims, Pseudolus, that I may now 
sacrifice to this excellent Jupiter! [Twelve lines omitted.] 
Tell me, I beseech you truly, [this to Ballio] and seriously 
now, this that I ask you. Have you not my mistress Phas- 
nicium to be sold? — Ball. Certainly, and in truth I have 
not. For I sold her some time since. — Cal. In what way ? 
— Ball. Without ornaments, with all her naturally consti- 



148 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

tuted form — Cal. Have you sold my mistress? — Ball. Cer- 
tainly, for twenty pounds. — Cal. [Starting in amazement.] For 
twenty pounds? — Ball. Or for four times five pounds, which- 
ever you will, to a Macedonian Officer, and already I have 
fifteen pounds of it. — Cal. What do I hear from you ? — 
Ball. That your mistress is made into money. — Cal. Why 
have you dared to do that? — Ball. It pleased me. She was 
my own. — Cal. Hillo ! Pseudolus ! bring me a sword ! — 
Pseu. What need of a sword ? — Cal. [Pointing at the Pimp.] 
To slay him, and myself. What do you say, thou most false 
of all men, as far as earth contains them, hast thou not sworn, 
that thou wouldst sell her to nobody but to me ? — Ball. I 
do confess it. — Cal. To wit, in fashioned words. — Ball. But 
intended words also. — Cal. You have been false, you villain! 
— Ball. But I pocketed some money though ! I a villain can 
draw out money from home now. You, who are good, and 
born from that grand family have no cash at all ! — Cal. 
Pseudolus, assist on the other side of him, and load this 
fellow with curses ! — Pseu. It must be done. [Goes on one 
side of him.] You impudent fellow ! — Ball. [Coldly.] It is so. 
— Pseu. A wicked wretch ! — Ball. You say the truth. — Pseu. 
A rogue! — Ball. Why not? — Cal. [On the other side of 
Ballio.] You robber at funerals ! — Ball. Certainly. — Cal. You 
executioner! — Ball. Excellently done. — Cal. Thou cheat! — 
Ball. All these things are mine. — Pseu. A parricide ! — Ball. 
Go on you ! [Four lines omitted.] — Cal. You beat your father 
and mother ! — Ball. And slew them also, rather than I would 
give them food ! have I done wrong at all ? — Pseu. We are 
pouring our words into a broken cask. We lose our labour. 
— Ball. Do ye wish to say any thing else besides ? — Cal. 
Does it shame you at all ? — Ball. That you are found an 
empty lover, as a nut without a kernel. But though you 
have said to me many and bad words, against me, unless the 
officer shall have brought me the five pounds that he owes 
me, as this particular day was fixed for paying that money, 
if he shall not come, I think that I can be able to do this 
duty to myself. — Cal. What is that ? — Ball. If you shall have 
brought the money, I shall have broke the bargain with 
him. This is a duty to myself. If it be worth your while, 
I will talk more with you. But without money it is in vain, 
that you require me to pity you. This is my decision, that 



PSEUDOLUS. 149 

you may consider from this, what you may further do. 
[Ballio moves away.] — CaL Are you departing now ? — Ball, 
I am now full of business. [Exit Ballio with the boy at the 
back scene.] — Pseu. [Looking after him.'] You shall have more 
business a little afterward ! [To Calidorus.] That is my man. 
Unless all the gods and goddesses desert me, I will roast 
that fellow, in the very same manner as a cook does a shell- 
fish. But now, Calidorus, I want you to assist me. — CaL 
What do you command me? — Pseu. I want to assault this 
town, that it may be taken this day. To this business it is 
necessary to have a man, cunning, skilful, clever, and crafty, 
who may make our orders effective ; not one, that may sleep 
at his post of watch. — CaL Tell me what you are about to do ! 
— Pseu. I will cause you to know it in good time. I don't 
choose to repeat it twice. Stories are made long enough 
thus without it. — Col. You desire a very good, and a most 
proper thing. — Pseu. Hasten, and bring the man quickly ! 
There are few friends out of many, who can be depended on. 
— CaL I know that. — Pseu. Therefore [looking carefully on 
each side] get a chosen one to you ! Out of many of them 
seek out one, who can be a sure man. — CaL Just now I will 
make him be present here. — Pseu. Can't you go away ? You 
make delay to yourself by your talking. [Exit Calidorus at 
the side scene.] 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Manet Pseudolus. 

Pseu. [Solus.] After he has gone away, you stand alone 
here, Pseudolus ! To whom not one drop of sure counsel is 
ready, nor also of money. Nor do I know now, what I shall 
do, nor where to begin first, nor have you, Pseudolus, a 
knowledge whence you may begin. [Seven lines o?nitted.] Now 
I have been willing to throw a net over our old man, but, by 
what means I know not, he perceived it before hand. [He 
looks towards the back scene.] But my words and voice must 
now be stopped, for I see, behold him now, Simo coming on 
hither, along with his neighbour Callipho. Out of this old 
tomb I will this day dig out twenty pounds, which I may 
give to my master's son. Now I will step aside here, that I 
may gather their conversation- [Pseudolus goes aside.] 
x 



150 M. ACCII PLAUTI 



SCENA QU1NTA. 

Enter Simo and CALLiPHoyVo??i the back scene, and walk up 
the stage together. 

Sim. [Tzco lines omitted.] No one can go beyond my son, 
I do believe ; for the only talk among all men through the 
city is now, that he is willing to liberate his mistress, and 
to seek for money to that purpose. Several bring me word 

of this, and now In fact I perceived that matter before 

this time, and I smell out his scheme. — Pseu. [Behind the old 
gentlemen.'] This affair now is done up ! This business sticks 
fast ! Where I wanted to go for providing of money, the 
way is there now completely blocked up ! The old fellow 
has perceived it all beforehand. There is no booty for the 
plunderers! — Call. [To Simo.] In truth those things that are 
told you, that your son is in love, and is willing to circum- 
vent you in regard to money, those matters said to you are 
perhaps all lies. But if they are true, as the custom now 
chiefly is, what wonderful thing has he done? what new 
thing ? if a young man loves, and if he liberates his mistress ? 
— Pseu. [Behind.] O the clever old man! [Nine lines omitted.] 
Sim. [Turning round.[ Who speaks here? This truly is my 
servant Pseudolus ! He corrupts my son, and is the head of 
all wickedness. This is the leader ; this is that tutor of 
youth ! Now I expect to be tortured ! — Call. That is folly 
now, to carry your anger thus ready about you. How much 
better it is to go up to him with kind words, and to seek out, 
whether those things that they tell you, be true, or not. — 
Sim. I will mind you. — Pseu. [Behind.] The march is to you, 
Pseudolus ! prepare yourself a speech against the old fellow ! 
I am first though to salute my master, as is right. Afterward, 
if there be an opportunity, I am to salute the neighbours. 
[He comes up to his master.] — Sim, Health to you ! what is 
doing ? — Pseu. [Standing erect and stiff.] Standing here in this 
way! — Sim. [To Callipho.] See, Callipho, the attitude of 
the man, as it were, princely ! — Call. I think he stands pro- 
perly and confidently. — Pseu. [Standing ivith his head erect.] 
It becomes an innocent servant, who can be without fault, 
to be proud, most particularly with his own master. — CalL 



"PSEUDOLUS. 151 

XTo Pseudolus^] There are matters which we wish to ask 
you, that we ourselves know and have heard, as it were through 
a cloud of mist. — Sim. [To Callipho.] This fellow will wear 
you out with words, so that you may not think thatPseudolus, 
hut Socrates is speaking with you.— Pseu. It is so. A long 
time past you spurn me, I perceive, and I myself know that 
you have little faith in me. You covet that I should be bad, 
and yet I will be of strict honesty. — Sim. Pseudolus, make 
your ears now to be at leisure, that my words may be able to 
go where I wish them! [Eleven lines omitted.] What do you . 
say? do you know that my son loves any music-girl? — Pseu. 
It is for me to deny it. — Sim. May he be willing to liberate 
any woman ? — Pseu. This also I deny. — Sim. Do you pre- 
pare to take away from me any twenty-pounds by wheedling, 
and crafty tricks? — Pseu. Can I take them away from you? 

Sim. Well! which you may give to my son, and with 

which he may free his mistress ? — Pseu. It is necessary to 
confess this. — Call. He confesses it. — Sim. Have I not told 
you that just now? — Call. I remember it.— Sim. [To Pseu- 
dolus.] Why were these things concealed from me, imme- 
diately when you found them out ? Why have I not known 
it?— Pseu. I will tell you. Because I was unwilling that a 
bad custom should be produced by me, that a servant should 
criminate his own master before a master. [Ten lines omitted.] 

Sim. What now will ye do? for money indeed cannot be 

carried away hence from me, who must have particularly 
perceived the scheme. Now I will give notice to all, that no 
one may trust money to you.— Pseu. I will never in fact sup- 
plicate any one for money while you shall live. You truly 
shall give me the money ! From you in truth I shall take 

^! Sim. Will you take it from me? — Pseu. Certainly! — 

Sim. By Hercules blind out my eye, if I shall have given it 

■y 0U i Pseu. You will give it though ! I now tell you to be 

upon your guard against me. — Call. Certainly and truly I 
know, if you shall have carried off the money, you will have 
done a wonderful and great exploit! — Pseu. I will do it how- 

ever . Sim. If you shall not have carried it off, what then ? 

Pseu. Then flog me with rods ! But what if I shall have 

carried it off? — Sim. I give Jupiter a witness to you, that I 
will give you no punishment during my life. — Pseu. Make 
yourself remember that ! — Sim. Cannot I be on my guard, to 



152 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

whom it is told beforehand to be so ? — Pseu. I tell you be- 
forehand, that you must take care ! I tell you, I say, to take 
care! Have a care! Aha! You will give me the money 
this day with those very hands of yours. — Call. A very 
knowing fellow surely, if he keeps his word ! — Pseu. Carry 
me away to be your slave, if I shall not have done it. — Sim. 
You speak well and kindly, but already you are my slave. 
— Pseu. Do ye wish also I shall say, what ye may more 
wonder at ? — Call. I wish indeed to hear, for I listen to you 
with pleasure. — Sim. Come on now ! for with pleasure enough 
I hear you talk. — Pseu. Before I shall fight that battle, I will 
first have another fight, famous and memorable. — Sim. What 
fight? — Pseu. Why with this Pimp your neighbour. As to 
that music-girl whom your son pines for, I will cleverly 
chouse the Pimp of her with tricks and skilful frauds. — Sim. 
[Coming close?- to him.'] What is it? — Pseu. I will render each 
thing effected this day by the evening. — Sim. If you shall 
have performed these works, as you declare, you will have 
excelled in power king Agathocles! But if you shall not 
have done it, there is no reason why I may not instantly clap 
you into prison. — Pseu. Not for one day only, but for ever ! 
But if I shall have effected it, will you give me the money with 
your own free will, which I were to give at once to the Pimp? 
— Call. [To Simo.] Pseudolus requests a proper right. Say 
to him, I will give it. — Sim. But now do you know what 
comes into my mind ? What if these men have agreed be- 
tween themselves, Callipho, or by agreement and contrived 
tricks make up a plan, by which they may chouse me of my 
money ? — Pseu. Who can be more audacious than me, if I 
may dare to do that bad deed? Truly, Simo, if we have thus 
agreed together, or entered into counsel of that affair, or if 
we have even met about that business, so mark me down all 
over with rods of elm, as letters are written in a book with a 
pen ! — Sim. Set going your schemes now immediately, when 
it pleases you!— Pseu. Give your attention to me for this 
day, Callipho, I request, so that you may not anywhere ap- 
ply yourself to other business. — Call. Why now, I had yes- 
terday appointed, that I would go to the country. — Pseu. 
But now disturb the plans which you have fixed. — Call. 
Now I am determined not to go away, on that account you 
mention. It is a pleasure to me to see your schemes, Pseu- 



PSEUDOLUS. 153 

dolus, and if I sliall see that he does not give you the money, 
which he said he would, rather than it may not be done, I 
will give it myself. I will not swerve from this. — Pseu. For 
truly, if you will not give it, you will be accused with a great 
outcry, and violently indeed. Come on now ! Move your- 
selves off hence in-doors at once, and give room in turn to 
my deceptions S — Sim. Let it be done. You must be com- 
plied with. — Pseu. [To Simo.] But I wish you to be at 
home constantly. — Sim. Truly I give this attention to you. 
— Call. But I will go to the Forum. I will be here presently. 
— Sim. Return immediately ! [Exit Simo into his house. Exit 
Callipho at the back scene.'] 

Manet Pseudolus. 

Pseu. [Nine lines omitted.] It pleases me now to step aside 
hence within-doors, for some little time, while I call toge- 
ther within my heart all my roguish deceptions! [Exit 
Pseudolus into his master's house.]* 



ACTUS SECUNDUS. 

, SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Pseudolus from Simo's house. 

Pseu. O Jupiter, how cleverly and prosperously all things 
turn out to me, whatsoever I do ! nor is any counsel con- 
tained in my breast, that I can doubt of, or what I may be 
afraid of. [Six lines omitted.] Now will I nobly batter 
down Ballio, [speaking to the audience] this common enemy 
of mine and yours. Give ye your attention now ! I want to 
assault this town, that it may be taken this very day. And 
to this I will bring my legions. If I sack this town, I will 
make this matter pleasant to my citizens. From thence 
I will load and fill myself and all my friends with plunder, 
sharers together. I will strike terror and fright into my 

* The first act, notwithstanding the omissions, is of great length; but 
the dialogue is excellent. 



154 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

enemies, that they may know that I am born in the 
world. I am sprung from a fine race, and so it becomes me 
to effect great exploits, which may afterward be spoken of 
in regard to me as a renowned man, and thus for a length of 
time. [He look towards the back scene.'] Now as to this man 
whom I see, who is he that is offered to my eyesight oppo- 
site, an unknown man? It is my wish to know what he may 
want here with his long sword on. [Pseu dolus steps 
aside.] From hence I will lie in wait for him, to know what 
affair he may be about. 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter from the back scene Harpax, sei-vant of the Officer, 
with a purse in his hand. 

Har. [Staring up at the houses.] These are the places, 
these the situations, which were pointed out to me by 
my master. I am now regarding with my eyes the descrip- 
tion, which my master the officer related to me thus ; " that 
it is the seventh house from the gate, where dwells that 
pimp, to whom he ordered me to carry the token, and this 
money. [He chinks the money in the purse.] I would vastly 
wish for some one, who may make it certain to me, where 
here the pimp Ballio dwells. [He advances forward, looking 
from side to side.] — Pseu. [Behind him.] Hist! Silence! 
Silence! This is my man, unless all gods and men forsake 
me. Now I have need of a new scheme ! A new affair this 
is suddenly offered to me. I will first in the beginning turn 
myself to this matter. I dismiss all those things, which I 
before began to do. I will now in truth finely smite this mi- 
litary messenger coming here ! — Har. [Having stared for 
some time at Ballio's door.] I will knock at the door, and 
call out some one that's within, to come out of doors. [He 
knocks repeated! u.] — Pseu. [Coining to him.] Whoever you 
are, I wish you to make a diminution of your knocking, for 
I the spokesman and patron of the doors just now went 
forth out of doors. — Har. Are you Ballio ? — Pseu. Yea, ve- 
rily, I am his sub-deputy vice-Ballio ! — Har. What word is 
that? — Pseu. I am his yeoman-butler, and the procurer of 
his provisions. — Har. As if you were to say, that you are 
gentleman-usher of the hall? — Pseu. Why, I have command 



PSEUDOLUS. 155 

over the gentleman-usher. — Har. In what way are you then? 
are you a slave, or free ? — Pseu. Now indeed I am a slave. 
— Har. So you seem ; and you don't seem worthy that you 
may be free. — -Pseu. [Shaking his fist at him.] You are not 
used to regard yourself, when you can speak injuriously to 
another. — Har. [Aside.] It is certain that this is a bad 
fellow. — Pseu. [Aside.] The gods preserve me, and love me. 
For there is my anvil. [Points at Harpax.] I will hammer 
out many deceits from this to-day. — Har. [Aside.] What 
is he saying apart with himself there? — Pseu. What do you 
say, young man? — Har. What is it? — Pseu. Are you, or 
are you not from the Macedonian officer? The servant of 
him, who bought from us hence the woman lately ? and who 
had given to my master the fifteen pounds of silver, and 
owes five? — Har. I am. But where in the world have you 
ever known me, or seen me, or spoke with me? For indeed 
I never came to Athens before this, nor have I ever seen you 
with my eyes before this day. — Pseu. Because you seem to 
be from thence. For when he departed formerly, this day 
was appointed for the money, on which he should bring it 
back to us, nor as yet has he brought it back. — Har. Yes, it 
is here ! [Holds up the purse.] Pseu. Have you, my friend, 
brought it ? — Har. I myself! — Pseu. Why do you doubt to 
give it me ? — Har. Must I give it you ? — Pseu. To me verily 
and truly, who take care of the property and accounts of my 
master Ballio, receive his money, lay it out, and give it to 
those that he is in debt to. — Har. If truly you bring out the 
treasures even of lofty Jupiter, I will never trust a farthing 
of money to you. — Pseu. While you are making a pother, 
the money will be lost. — Har. [Tightening the strings of his 
purse.] I shall have kept it fastened up thus rather. — Pseu. 
Woe to you, lad! You alone are found forsooth, who can 
doubt of my faith ! as if six hundred times as much were 
not used to be trusted to me ! — Har. It may be that others 
may think so, it may be also, that I cannot trust you. — 
Pseu. As if you may say, that I wish to chouse you out of 
the money. — Har. Yes truly, as you may say, and as if 
I also may say, that I must suspect it. But what is your 
name? — Pseu. [Aside.] There is a servant belonging to this 
pimp called Syrus ; I will say that I am he. [Turns to 
Harpax.] I am Syrus! — Har. Syrus?— Pseu. That is my 



156 M. ACCM PLAUTI 

name. — Har. We are making many words about this ! If 
your master is at home, why do you not call him forth ? that 
I may transact that business, as to which I am sent hither, 
whatever your name is ! — Pseu. If he were within, I would 
call him out. But if you are willing to give the money to 
me, it will be more effectually paid, than if you shall have 
given it to himself. — Har. But now do you know what it is? 
My master sent me to give this money, and not to lose it. 
Now I know for certain that you have a raging fever as to 
this money, because it is impossible to lay your claws upon 
it. I will trust the money to no other man, unless to Ballio 
himself. — Pseu. But he is now busy. His. business is going 
on before a judge. — Har. May the gods prosper it! But 
when I shall think that he is at home, I shall have returned 
here. Do you take this letter from me, and give it him. 
For a token is there, between my master and yours concern- 
ing the woman. — Pseu. I know indeed, that he who should 
bring the money, and his stamped seal hither to us, my 
master said he was willing that the woman be sent along 
with him. For here he left us even a sample of that. — Har. 
You have the whole affair. — Pseu. Why should I not have 
it? — Har. Give therefore that token to him! — Pseu. It shall 
be. [Harpax gives him the letter with the token.] But what 
is your name ? — Har. Harpax ! — Pseu. {Shouldering him with 
a violent shove.'] Get away with yourself, Harpax! you don't 
please me ! you shall not, verily and truly, go inside here, 
lest you shall have done some harpy deed ! — Har. I am used 
to drag prisoners out of a battle, and from this is my name. 
— Pseu. By Apollo I think you would much more drag 
brazen vessels out of a house ! — Har. It is not so. But do 
you know what I may beg of you, Syrus? — Pseu. I shall 
know it, when you shall have told it. — Har. I am to turn 
down outside the gate hither into the third shop, to that bad, 
and lame, and fat old woman, Chrysis.- — Pseu. What do you 
want of me now? — Har. That you may call me from thence, 
when 3'our master shall have come. — Pseu. At your pleasure, 
certainly. — Har. For, as I came here tired from the road, I 
wish to indulge myself now. — Pseu. In truth you are wise, 
and vour plan pleases me. But take care that you be not 
out of the way, when I shall call you to me ! — Har. Why, 
when I shall have dined, I shall give myself iip to sleep. — 



PSEUDOLUS. 157 

Pseu. In truth Hhink so. — Har. Now what do you wish? — 
Pseu. That you may go away, in order to sleep. — Har. I am 
going away. [He walks to the side.] — Pseu. And do you hear, 
Harpagus ? Order yourself to be well covered up ! You will 
be pleasant, if you shall have sweated well ! [Exit Hakpax 
at the side scene, yawning and stretching with fatigue.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 
Manet Pseudolus. 

Pseu. [Looking after Harp ax.] Immortal gods ! That man 
has preserved me by his coming here ! By his supply for my 
scheming journey, he has brought me, from blundering on, 
into the very right way. For opportunity itself could not 
arrive more opportunely, than this letter has been brought 
to me opportunely. For this is brought as a cornucopia, 
where is contained whatever I wish! [He looks at the letter in 
his hand.] Here are my deceits, here are all my tricks, here are 
my frauds, here my money, here is a mistress for my loving 
master's son ! [Fourteen lines omitted here, as tedious soliloquy.] 
O immortal gods ! That great lie of mine, which I suddenly 
contrived here just now, when I said I belonged to the Pimp, 
was not dear, when valued against pure gold. Now with this 
letter I will deceive three men, my master, and the Pimp, 
and the man who gave me this letter. Well done ! Like for 
like ! [He looks towards the side scene.] But now another thing 
has happened, which I was desirous of. Calidorus is com- 
ing ! Behold him ! He brings along with him some one, I 
know not who ! [He retires near the back scene.] 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter from the side scene Calidorus and his friend 
Charinus. 

Cal. I have spoke out before you all things sweet and 
bitter. You know of my love, you know my difficulty, you 
know my poverty. — Cha. I remember all things completely. 
Do you only make me know what you wish me to do ! — Cal. 
Since 1 have told you these other things, if you are to know 
the rest, I wish you should know concerning the token also. 



158 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

— Cha. All things, I say, I have known ; now only make me 
know, what you want me to do ! — Cal. Pseudolus has or- 
dered me thus ; that I should conduct to him some man, 
friendly, active-minded, and benevolent, — Cha. You ob- 
serve the command well certainly, for you conduct one 
who is friendly, and wishing well to you. [Shakes him by the 
hand.] But that Pseudolus is strange to me. — Cal. He is a 
very clever man ! He is my engineer. He said to me, that 
he would effect those things which I mentioned to you. — 
Pseu, [Behind.] I will address this man saucily ! — Cal. [Look- 
ing about.] Whose voice sounds here? — Pseu. Hillo ! Hillo ! 
I address you, you, you, my prince ! You, who dost com- 
mand Pseudolus, I seek ! To whom I may give three times, 
and threefold, triple, and three joys, in three ways, with three 
schemes, and joys thrice deserved; got by fraud from three 
machinations; by wickedness, by deceit, and cheating; I 
have brought them to you in this very small sealed packet! 
— Cal. [To Charinus.] That is the man f — Cha. How the 
rascal blusters, like a tragedian ! — Cal. Advance a step op- 
posite to him ! [Charinus and Pseudolus approach each 
other.] — Pseu. Stretch out your arm now boldly to wish me 
health ! — Cha. Tell me, Pseudolus, whether I may salute you 
by the name of Hope, or Safety? — Pseu. In truth each of 
them. — Cha. Hail to you each way ! [Shakes hands with Pseu- 
dolus.] But what is done? — Pseu. What are you now afraid 
of? — Cal. I have brought this man here, Pseudolus. — Pseu. 
What? Have you brought him on your shoulders? — Cal. I 
have conducted him, I meant to say. — Pseu. Who is he? — 
Cal. Charinus ! — Pseu. Well done. I make him a lucky 
omen ! — Cha. But you are to command me boldly, as to 
whatever there is need to do. — Pseu. Now I acknowledge 
the favour. May it be well with you, Charinus ! I am un- 
willing that we should be troublesome to you. — Cha. You 
troublesome to me? That saying is indeed troublesome to 
me ! — Pseu. Then on that account do you wait there now a mo- 
ment ! — Cha. What is that meaning? — Pseu. [Taking out the 
letter from his pocket.] I intercepted just now this letter, and 
the token.— Cha. The token? What token 1-Pseu. Which 
was brought here from the officer just now, by his servant, 
who was bringing it with five pounds of money, [to Cali- 
dorus] and who was compelling your mistress away from 



PSEUDOLUS. ]59 

hence. Just now I swindled him ! — Cal. How 1—Pseu. The 
story is acted [looks at the audience] for the sake of these 
spectators. They who were present here know it. I shall 
have told it you hereafter. — Cal. What now are we to do ? 
— Pseu. You shall have your mistress free this day ! — Cal. 
Shall I?— Pseu. You yourself.— Cal. I myself 1—Pseu. You 
yourself, I say. If indeed this head of mine shall live; if you 
will only find a man for me speedily. — Cal. Of what sort? — 
Pseu. Bad, crafty, and clever; one, who when he may have 
begun, may hold fast moreover by his own courage, what it 
may behove him to do. A man also, who not often may 
have been made use of here. — Cha. If he is a slave, does it 
signify any thing ? — Pseu. Truly I have much rather that he 
be so, than a freeman.— Cha. I think that I can give you a 
man, bad and clever ; who came lately from his father Ca- 
rystus. Nor has he gone out from the house any where, nor 
came to Athens ever before yesterday. — Pseu. You assist me 
well. But there is need of five pounds of money found and 
borrowed, which I will give back this day, for his father 
[points at Cali do rus] owes me one pound of it. — Cha. I 
will give it you. Do not seek it any where else. — Pseu. Oh ! 
how opportune a man to me ! There is also need of a long 
cloak and sword, and a broad-brimmed hat ! — Cha. I can 
give them from myself! — Pseu. O immortal gods! Charinus 
indeed is not here to me, but absolute plenty ! But that ser- 
vant who came here from Carystus, is he any way wise ? — 
Cha. Even from his cradle ! — Pseu. It becomes the man to 
have a tunic with long sleeves ! [Five lines omitted.'] But 
what shall I say the name be to that servant? — Cha. Simia! 
— Pseu. Does he know how to conduct himself in an adverse 
affair? — Cha. A spinning top does not turn equally quick ! 
— Pseu. Is he at all crafty? — Cha. Very often in bad deeds. 
— Pseu. How is he, when he is openly caught in lies ? — Cha. 
He is an eel. He slips out instantly ! But what are you about 
to do ? — Pseu. I will tell you— when I shall have dressed up the 
man, I intend him to become the fictitious servant of the of- 
ficer ; and that he may carry this token to the Pimp, with 
five pounds of money. That then he may lead away the wo- 
man from the Pimp. There's for you! There's all the story! 
But in what manner he must do every thing, I shall have 
told to the man himself. — Cal. Why therefore do we now stand 



160 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

here ? — Psen. Bring ye the man to me, ready dressed with 
all his ornaments, immediately now to iEschinus the banker's. 
But hasten ! — Cha. We will be there sooner than you ! — Pseu. 
But depart ye therefore very quickly! [Exeunt Calidorus 
and Charinus into Simo's house.] 

Manet Pseudolus. 

Whatever doubtful or ambiguous was in my mind before, 
is now quite clear. It has no lees in it. My heart now 
goes on its way. I will lead under my standards all my 
ranks, and all my legions, with a favourable omen, and with 
a clear auspice, and according to my own opinion. I have 
a confidence now, that I can overthrow my enemies. I will 
now go to the Forum, and will load Simia with my instruc- 
tions, what he must do, and that he may not stagger, and 
may carry on this cheatery skilfully. Now I shall have 
caused, that the fortified town belonging to the Pimp, shall 
be totally sacked, and devastated ! [Exit Pseudolus at the 
back scene.] 



ACTUS TERTIUS. 
SCENA PRIMA. 
Enter from Ballio's house a Boy, servant to Ballio. 
Boy. Verily to that boy ,whose servitude the gods give to 
a Pimp, and when they add a base occupation to the same, 
they give a great calamity, as far I now see within my 
heart, and many miseries. Just so has this servitude turned 
out to me, where I am set over all small and great cala- 
mitous affairs. Nor can I find that person who can love me, 
so as to treat me in a proper manner. Now to-day is this 
Pimp's birth-day, and he has threatened us all from the 
lowest to the greatest, if any one should not have sent to 
him a gift to-day, that he should perish to-morrow under the 
greatest torture. Now I know not truly what I shall do in 
my affairs, nor am I able to give, what they who are able are 
used to give. Now unless some one will afford to wretched 
me this day a gift for the Pimp, to-morrow I must swallow 



PSEUDOLUS. 161 

fuller's earth. Alas ! of how little consideration am I now 
to that affair, and yet truly how badly 1 fear him in my 
wretchedness ! If any one can give me something, that my 
hand may become more weighty, though they say that that 
is always done reluctantly, I think to be able to compress 
the jaws of the Pimp in some degree. [He looks towards the 
back scene.] But now my voice and oration must be stopped, 
for behold him, my master is taking himself home, and 
brings a cook here with him. 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter B allio from the back scene, followed by a Cook with 
baskets of provisions, from the market. 

Ball. They who call it a market of cooks, call it in that 
foolishly, for it is not a market of cooks, but a market of 
thieves ! For if I, being sworn to it, should seek a worse 
man, I could not possibly bring any cook a worse fellow, 
than this I bring, chattering, bragging, impertinent, and use- 
less. Now hell certainly refused to take this man to itself, 
that there might be a man here, who can cook a supper for 
the dead ! For this man can cook only what can please 
them. — Cook. If you thought of me in that way as you de- 
clare, why did you hire me ? — Ball. From scarcity. There 
was no other. But why did you sit in the market, if you 
were a cook, the only one after others ? — Cook. I will tell you. 
By the covetousness of men, I am made a more wicked cook, 
than I should be of my own disposition. — Ball. By what 
reasoning is that? — Cook. I will tell you now. Because in 
truth when first they come to hire a cook, no one seeks him 
who is best and dearest. They rather hire- him who is 
cheapest. From this I have been to-day the only frequenter 
of the market. Those wretched men, the other cooks, would 
have gone for drachmas as their hire ; no one whatever can 
force me to rise from my seat, at a less price than a piece of 
coined money. I do not dress a supper so as other cooks 
do, who bring up actual meadows of grass dressed upon 
their dishes ; who make the guests as oxen, and give them 
herbs in plenty, They dress these herbs moreover along 
with other herbs. [Eight lines omitted.] From this circum- 



162 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

stance indeed men pass here in the world so short a life, 
when they heap up herbs of this sort on their stomach, for- 
midable not only in the eating, but even to be spoke of. 
Men eat those herbs, which cattle do not eat. — Ball. What 
do you say ? Do you, who can blame these dressings of 
dishes, use sauces divine, that can prolong life to men ? — 
Cook. [Aside.'] Speak thou boldly now ! [To the Pimp.'] 
Truly they who shall eat my victuals, that I shall have 
dressed, shall be able to live even two hundred years ! [Six 
lines omitted.] — Ball. May all the gods destroy you with 
your cookings of dishes, and with all those lies of yours ! — 
Cook. Suffer me to speak ! — Ball. Speak, and may you go to 
perdition ! — Cook. When all the dishes are hot, I open them 
all, and that savour they have, flies to heaven with feet down- 
wards ! Jupiter sups on that savour every day. — Ball. A 
savour with feet downwards ? — Cook. I have been wrong 
without knowing it. — Ball. What is it then ? — Cook. Be- 
cause in truth I meant to say with hands downwards. — Ball. If 
you go nowhere to cook, what does Jupiter sup upon ? — Cook. 
He goes to bed without his supper. — Ball. Go thou to de- 
struction ! For that cause shall I give you a piece of coined 
money this day? — Cook. I do confess indeed, that I am a 
cook most dear in price. But for that price I cause, that 
my clever doing may appear, as to what I came hired for. — 
Ball. In truth it is to thieve ! — Cook. Do you require to find 
any cook, unless with the claws of a kite, or an eagle ? — 
Ball. Do you require to go any where to cook, that you 
must not cook supper there with your hands tied up ? [He 
speaks to the boy.] Now therefore you who are mine, I com- 
mand you instantly that you may hasten to remove away all 
my goods here ! And then, that you may have this fellow's 
eyes before your eyes ; wherever he shall look, do you look 
there also ; if he shall go any where here, do you go on 
along with him. If he shall put forth his hand, do you put 
forth your hand also. If he shall take any thing that's his 
own, suffer him to take it. If he shall take what's mine, 
hold it fast against him. If he shall go, go thou also. If 
he shall stand, stand near him also. If he shall stoop, stoop 
thou likewise. [Nine lines omitted.] Stop now, cook ! At how 
great a price may you teach me that one thing, how to cook 
a supper ? — Cook. For what reason ? — Ball. That I may 



PSEUDOLUS. 163 

keep you now, that you may not plunder any thing from me. 
— Cook. If you believe me, as to what I say, for a piece of 
coin I w T ill teach you. If not, I will not for a pound indeed ! 
But whether are you about to give a dinner to-day to your 
friends, or to your enemies ? — Ball. In truth I am to give it 
to my friends surely. — Cook. But do you now invite your 
enemies to-day, I desire you, rather than your friends ! For 
I will give a supper to-day so well drest, and will sauce it 
so with sweetness, that every one who shall have tasted what 
is drest, I shall cause him to gnaw his very ringers. — Ball. 
I beg of you verily, before you shall give any thing to the 
guests, taste it yourself first, and give it also to your scul- 
lions, that ye may all gnaw off your thievish hands. — Cook. 
Perhaps now you may not believe these things which I am 
saying. — Ball. Do not be troublesome ! Already you din 
me too much. You do not please me. [He points at his door.~\ 
Harkye ! I dwell there ! Go away in-doors hither, and cook 
the supper as fast as you can ! — Cook. But you are to go now, 
and lie down to it, and give me the guests all ready ! For 
even now the supper is almost spoiled with waiting for you 
all ! [Exeunt the Cook and the Boy into Ballio's house with 
the baskets of provisions.] — Ball. [Looking after them.] Aha ! 
See that young shoot ! This also is a bad chap, he is the 
cook's deputy tongue-licker ! Truly I know not, what I 
may now first guard against ; there are so many thieves in 
my house. There is a robber too in the nearest house to 
mine. [Points at Simo's house.] For now this neighbour, 
the father of Calidorus, asked of me with great earnestness 
a little before at the Forum, that I should take care of myself 
from his servant Pseudolus, and that I should not have any 
trust in him. For that he would circumvent me on this 
very day, that he might get the woman from me, if he were 
able. He told me that that man had promised stoutly to him, 
that he was about to carry away Phaenicium from me by 
tricks. Now I will go away in-doors, and give a command 
to my domestics, truly that no one may trust any thing to 
that Pseudolus ! [Exit Ballio into his house.]* 

* Plautus seems to have expended his genius on the two first excellent Acts, and 
to have made the third Act a very trifling one. However, it is probable he intended 
this third Act as a mere interlude, to fill up the time, while Pseudolus is dressing 
up his sycophant cheat, and getting ready his tricks and devices. Although this 
Act appears most insignificant, no doubt it gave great entertainment to an old 



164 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

ACTUS QUARTUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Pseu dolus at the back scene, and advances. 

Pseu. If ever the immortal gods wished any one to be as- 
sisted by their aid, they surely desire me and Calidorus 
to be preserved, and the Pimp destroyed, when they pro- 
duced to me you, Master Simia, as an assistant, so clever 
and crafty a man ! [Turns round as if talking zvith him.] But 
where is that man? [Looks on every side.] Am I, a foolish 
fellow, speaking these things alone, I myself by myself? He 
bamboozled me certainly, I think, when bad myself, I 
guarded myself so sillily against bad men ! I have perished 
then in truth if that man has gone off, nor shall I this day 
effect this work, which I wanted to do. [Enter Simia at the 
back scene, property dressed for the occasion, and stalking along 
stiff", proud, and erect.] But behold him ! I see a statue hard- 
ened and hammered ! How grandly he carries himself! 
What ho ! In truth I was looking about for you. [Simia 
stalks slowly up to him.] I feared very much, lest you might 
have gone away. — Simi. There was business of my own, 
which I resolved that I would do. I own that. — Pseu. 
Where had you remained ? — Simi. Where it pleased me ! — 
Pseu. I know that pretty well now. — Simi. Why do you ask 
me therefore, what you know ? — Pseu. But I want to advise 
you as to this matter. — Simi. One that is to be advised 
himself, must not advise me. — Pseu. At least I am very 
much despised by you. — Simi. Why may I not despise you? 
I who must be called a man of the army ? — Pseu. I want 
this to be done immediately, which has now been just be- 
gun. — Simi. Do you see me do any thing else, but it? — 
Pseu. Therefore walk nimbly. — Simi. Yes, but I wish to 
walk slowly. [He stalks along with head erect.] — Pseu. This 

Roman audience, from the introduction of a chattering, impudent, hireling, bragga- 
docio cook ; a character held by the people in great derision and contempt. The 
cooks, it appears, were a set of fellows, hired in the market-place to prepare particular 
suppers and entertainments, and were reputed to be great thieves, and bad characters. 
Such fellows are introduced on the stage by Plautus, who certainly knew the taste of 
his audience. They do not exactly suit the taste of a modern polite dramatic critic. 



PSEUDOLUS. 165 

is that occasion wanted, while that fellow is asleep, and I 
wish you to try to approach the Pimp before that man. — 
Sirni. [Stopping short.} Why do you hurry? Softly now, 
softly! Fear thou not. May Jupiter have caused thus now, 
that he, whoever he is, that comes from the officer, may be 
present with me openly at the same place together ! Never 
in truth shall he be a better Harpax than I shall be. Have 
good courage then ! I will shew off that business hand- 
somely made out. With tricks and lies I will so frighten that 
military stranger, that he himself may deny, he is the person 
that he may really be, and that he may imagine me to be 
the man, that himself certainly is. — Pseu. How can that be? 
— Simi. You slay me when you ask me that ! — Pseu, O my 
clever fine fellow ! You, with your ever and also tricks, and 
moreover with your lies, you, I say, may Jupiter preserve to 
me ! — Simi. Yea, preserve to myself ! But see, does this 
dress become me well ? — Pseu. It is excellent. — Simi. It may 
be so. — Pseu. May the good gods give you, as much as ever 
you may wish for to yourself ! For if I may wish, that they 
may give as much as you are worthy of, my wish is less than 
nothing, for I never saw any man more abominable and ras- 
cally ! — Simi. Do you say that to me ? — Pseu. I do not say 
it to you. But the gifts that I promised you, I will give 
and make up, if you shall have wisely managed this affair. 
— Simi. Cannot you hold your tongue ? He who advises, 
makes the mindful man unmindful, as to what such atten- 
tive man remembers. I know all things. They are stored 
in my breast. My tricks are craftily meditated. — Pseu. He 
is an expert man you have to do with. — Simi. Neither is he, 
nor I. — Pseu. But take care, that you may not be unsteady ! 
— Simi. Cannot you hold your peace? — Pseu. So may the 

gods love me Simi. They will not do so, and you will 

now pour out absolute lies.— Pseu. How I do love you, 
Simia, on account of your villany ! and I fear you, and es- 
teem you a great man ! — Simi. I have learned to give that 
up to others. Now you cannot wheedle me ! — Rseu. How 
handsomely I will receive you this day, when you shall have 
effected this work! — Simi. [Laughing.] Ha ! ha! ha ! [Four 
lines omitted.'] But hasten to shew me where's the door of 
the Pimp's house ! — Pseu. [Points to Ballio's house.] This 
is it. The third here. — Simi. [Looking at the door.] Hist! 



166 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

Be silent, the house is open ! — Pseu. I believe there is a 
curse upon the house. — Simi. Why now 1—Pseu. Because in 
truth it is vomiting out the Pimp. — Simi. [Looking at 
Ballio's door.'] Is that he ? — Pseu. It is he. — Simi. He is a 
bad commodity ! — Pseu. See that ! He does not go straight 
forward, but crossways, just as a crab is used to do. [They 
retire.'] 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Ballio from his house, sloping with vulgar gait 
to the front. 

Ball. I think this man less bad, than I did imagine a 
cook to be, for he has grappled as yet nothing even, beyond 
a glass and a jug. — Pseu. [Behind to Simi a.] Harkyejyou ! 
now is the opportunity and time. — Simi. I agree with you. 
— Pseu. Enter on the business craftily, and I will be here in 
ambush. [Simia gets to the back scene, and walks up the street 
from thence, speaking loud.]— Simi. I had the number care- 
fully. This is the sixth nearest alley from the gate, and 
into that alley he had ordered me to turn down. How many 
houses he may have mentioned, that I am not quite sure of. 
Ball. [Looking about at him.] What man is this with a cloak 
on, or whence is he, or whom does he inquire after ? The 
face of the man seems foreign and ignoble. — Simi. But be- 
hold the man, who will make the thing that I want to know 
more certain to me from this uncertainty. [He walks towards 
Ballio.] — Ball. He's approaching me straightway. Whence 
in the world shall I say that this fellow is from ? — Simi. 
[Coming up and staring in BALLio's^rtce.] Harkye ! you with 
a goat's beard ! who are standing there, answer me what I 
ask ! — Ball. Hillo ! you, do you not salute me first ? — Simi. 
[With surly voice.] I have no salute to bestow. — Ball. 
Odds-bobs you will get just so much from hence. — Pseu. 
[Behind.] This is good at the beginning.— Simi. [To Ballio.] 
Have you known any man in this narrow street, I ask you ? 
— Ball. I know myself. — Simi. Few men do that which you 
speak of, for in the Forum there is scarcely every tenth man 
who can have known himself. — Pseu. [Behind.] I am safe, 
for he is philosophizing now ! — Simi. [To Ballio.] I seek 
here a man that is a bad fellow, a law-breaker, impious, 



PSEUDOLUS. 167 

perjured, and wicked. — Ball. [Aside.] He is surely seeking 
me, for those are my titles, if he can mention the name only. 
[To Simia.] What is that man's name ? — Simi. The Pimp 
Ballio \—Ball, [Aside.] I knew it. [To Simia.] Young man, 
I am the very man, that you seek. — Simi. [Staring at him.] 
Are you Ballio ? — Ball. Verily and truly, I am he. — Simi, 
[Taking him by the cloak.] How well clothed this house- 
breaker is ! — Ball. I believe if you saw me in the night, you 

would keep your hand off me Simi. My master desired me 

to present health to you much. Take this letter from me ! 
[Takes out the letter, and holds it out.] He ordered me to give 
you this ! — Ball. Who is that man, that ordered you ? — 
Pseu. [Behind.] I am lost ! Now my man's in the middle of 
the mud. He knows not the name. His business sticks 
fast now ! — Ball. Who do you affirm, sent this to me ? — 
Simi, Look at the seal ! You yourself mention his name to 
me, that I may know that you are Ballio himself. — Ball. 
[Reaching out his hand.] Give me the letter ! — Simi, [Giving 
the letter.] Take it there, and acknowledge the seal.— Ball. 
[Looking at the seal.] Oho! This is Polymachseroplacides, 
The actual, very man himself! I have known him. Aha! — 
Simi. Polymachseroplacides is his name. Now I know that 
I have given you the letter properly, after you spoke out 
the name of Polymachgeroplacides. — Bal. But what is he 
doing? — Simi. What a man truly brave, and a good warrior 
should. But hasten, I beg, to read over this letter; for the 
business is thus ; that you are both to receive the money at 
once, and to commit the woman to me. For it is necessary 
that I should be this day at Sicyo, or else to-morrow suffer 
death, my master is so very peremptory. — Ball, I have 
known it; you tell me of things well known. — Simi. Hasten 
therefore to read the letter through. — Ball. I am doing that, 
if you can only hold your tongue. [Reads.] " The soldier 
Polymachseroplacides sends this written letter to the Pimp, 
and his image stamped in a seal, which was agreed to for- 
merly between us two." — Simi, The token is in the letter. — ' 
Ball. I see it and acknowledge the seal. But in a letter is 
it customary to send no greeting written? — Simi. So is the 
discipline of the army, Ballio. But as you have begun, go 
on to know the subject, and what that letter may declare. 
— Ball. Listen only ! [Reads again.] "Harpax is my camp- 



168 M. ACCIl PLAUTI 

servant, who comes to you." [Ballio Looks hard at him.] 
Are you that Harpax ? — Simi. I am he, and am Harpax him- 
self truly. — Ball. [Reading.'] "Receive the money from him, 
who carries that letter, and I wish the woman to be sent 
along with him. It is fit to send a written greeting to those 
worthy of it; if I were to think you worthy of it, I should 
have sent it to you." [He folds up the letter.]— Simi. What 
now? — Ball. Give me the money, and carry off the woman! 
— Simi. Which of us is delaying the matter? — Ball. But 
follow me therefore in-doors ! [Exeunt Ballio and Simia 
into Ballio's house.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Pseudolus advances from his hiding-place at the back scene. 

Pseu. A worse man, and more cunningly bad I have never 
truly seen, than is this Simia ! And I very much and badly 
fear, and am terrified at that man, lest he may be as bad to 
me, as he was towards him, and lest in this successful busi- 
ness he may turn his horns against me, if he may take occa- 
sion to shew how bad he can be. In fact indeed I do not 
wish that to be, for I am well-disposed towards him. And 
now I am in the greatest fear in a threefold way. First of 
all, I now fear his being my comrade, lest he may desert me, 
and pass over to the enemy. But I fear also, lest my master 
may return just now from the Forum, and our robbers may be 
taken, the prize being carried off from them. W^hile I fear 
these things, I fear also, lest that fellow Harpax may come 
hither, before this Harpax shall have gone off hence with the 
woman. [He looks at Ballio's door, and listens aiohile.] I 
am lost truly ! Too slowly they go out of doors ! My heart 
with pack and baggage is expecting, that if he cannot bring 
the woman out along with him, it must fly away into banish- 
ment from my breast. [The door of Ballio's house opens.] 
I am a conqueror ! [He claps his ha/ids for joy .] I have sub- 
dued my watchful guards ! [He retires to a little distance.] 



PSEUDOLUS. 169 



SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter Simia from Ballio's house, leading in Ph^nicium, 
who is weeping. 

Sim. Weep not, Phsenicium, you know not how the matter 
may be. But not long hence I will cause you to know it. I 
am not carrying you to that long-toothed man, the Macedo- 
nian, who makes you now in tears. I am conducting you to 
that man, to whom to join yourself, you most desire. Not 
long hence I will cause that you shall embrace Calidorus. 
— Pseu. Why have you staid so long within, I beg ? How 
long has my heart been pummelled with beating against my 
breast! — Simi. You have found now an occasion, you rogue 
you, for examining me with hostile insidiousness ! You must 
know, we measure the way hence with military marchings. 
— Pseu. Now, truly, although you are a rascal, you admonish 
rightly ! March by the direct way of the grand triumph so- 
berly on ! [They march slowly towards the back scene, Simia 
leading the van, Ph^nicium in the centre, and Pseudolus 
closing the rear, and exeunt in due order.] 

SCENA QUINTA. 

Enter Ballio/tow his house smiling, and rubbing his 
hands in joy. 

Ball. [Laughi?ig.~\ Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Now at last my mind 
is in safety, since that man has gone off from this, and car- 
ried off the woman. It were pleasant to me now that Pseu- 
dolus, the head of all wickedness, should come here, in 
order to take away the woman with his tricks. I know in 
truth full well, I would rather perjure myself with false words 
a thousand times than that that fellow should cheat me in 
derision. Now truly I will laugh at the man, if I shall have 
met him. But I do believe that he was put into prison ■ 
as was proper. Now I can wish as to Simo. that he may 
come in my way, that he may be mutually happy in my glad, 
ness. 



170 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

SCENA SEXTA. 
Enter Si mo from his house. 

Sim. [Talking to himself.] I go out to see, what business 
my Ulysses may have transacted, or whether he may have in 
his possession the standard from Ballio's citadel. — Ball. 
[Coming up to him.] O fortunate man, give me thy fortunate 
hand, Simo ! [They shake hands together.'] — Sim. What is it 

now?— Ball. Why now Sim. What now?— Ball. There 

is nothing that you may fear. — Sim. What is it? hath the 
man come to you? — Ball. No ! — Sim. What therefore is there 
of good news? — Ball. The twenty pounds are sound and safe 
to you, which this day Pseudolus stipulated to get from you. 
— Sim. Would it were so in truth ! — Ball. Ask of me twenty 
pounds, if he to-day can have got that woman, or shall give 
her to your son this day, as he promised, ask that of me, I 
beseech you! I delight to promise it to you. That you may 
know the affair to be safe in every way, even possess the 
woman herself as a gift to you ! — Sim. There is no danger 
as far as I may know, in stipulating. As you have said, you 
will give then twenty pounds? — Ball. They shall be given. 
— Sim. This indeed is not badly done. But have you met 
the man? — Ball. Yes, both of them together. — Sim. What 
does he say? What does he tell ? I beg of you, what does 
he say to you ? — Ball. Theatrical stuff! Words which are 
used to be said to a pimp in comedies, he said that I was 
bad, and wicked, and perjured. — Sim. Now, by Apollo, 
he told no lie! — Ball. Therefore I was not angry. — Sim,. 
What is there, that you may not fear from him ? I wish to 
hear that. — Ball. Because he never will carry away the 
woman with him now, nor is he able. Do you remember, 
awhile ago, that I told you that she was sold to the Ma- 
cedonian officer? — Sim. I remember it. — Ball. Well ! his 
servant brought hither to me the money, and the token 
of a seal. — Sim. What then? — Ball. About which it had 
been agreed between me, and that officer. That man took 
away the woman with him a short time before this. — Sim. 
Do you say that in good truth ? — Ball. How can that 
be to me!— Sim. Take care now, lest he may be some one 






PSEUDOLUS. 171 

playing tricks ! Ball. The letter, and the image on the seal 
make me sure. Why truly he led her from the city just now 
to Sicyo ! — Sim. Well done by Hercules ! Why do I delay 
to make Pseudolus be classed among the number of mill- 
stones? [He looks at the back sce?ie.] But who is this man 
coming with a long cloak? — Ball. Truly I do not know, but 
let us observe him, where he may be going, or what business 
he may be transacting here. [They retire a little to the side 
scene.] 

SCENA SEPTIMA. 

Enter Hart ax. from the back scene. 

Har. [Thirteen lines omitted as tedious.'] In truth that 
Svrus, to whom I gave the token, would let me stay yet, 
and for ever, in the public-house. I remained there, as he 
had ordered me. He said, that he would call me, when the 
Pimp should be at home. But since he does not come, 
nor calls me, I come hither of my own accord, that I 
may know what affair may be going on, lest that man may 
play tricks upon me. Nor is there any thing better, than 
that I may knock at this door, [points at the Pimp's] and 
call out hither some one that's within. I wish that the Pimp 
may take this money from me, and send the woman now 
along with me ! — Ball. [Calling from behind.] Harkye you ! 
— Sim. What do you want of him ? — Ball. This man belongs 
tome. — Sim. How then? — Ball. — Because he is my prize. 
He has money for me ! It pleases me now to snap at this 
fellow. — Sim. Are you now about to devour him ? — Ball. 
While he is new, while there is an opportunity, and while he 
is intent upon it, it becomes him to be devoured; for good men 
impoverish me, bad ones nourish me. Bad men increase 
my property ; industrious men are a loss to me ; wicked 
fellows are my gain. — Sim. A curse on you ! which the gods 
will give to you who are so wicked ! — Har. [In front.] But 
I am delaying now, that I don't knock at these doors, to know 
whether Ballio may be at home. [Five lines omitted.] Harkye '. 
Hillo ! [He knocks thundering at the door.] Where are ye all? 
— Ball. Hillo! young man, what's owed to you there ? [To 
Simo.] I shall go loaded with plunder from this chap ! To 
me he is good luck. — Har. [Knocking again violently.] Does 



172 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

any one open this door ? — Ball. Hillo ! Cloak-fellow, what 
is owed to you there ? — Har. [Turning about and star- 
ing.] I seek the master of the house, the Pimp Ballio ! 
— Ball. Whoever you are, young man, make short work 
of your seeking ! — Har. Why now ? — Ball. Because he 
himself present sees you present before his face. [Ballio 
and Simo advance to him.'] — Har. [Staring at Simo.] 
Are you he ? — Sim. Why, mister cloak-man ; guard against 
a sad mishap, and stretch out your finger against him, 
[points to Ballio] for he is a Pimp ! — Ball. [Pointing 
to Simo.] This is a fine man! — Har. Are you talking 
with me now, eh ? — Ball. I do talk to you ; what do you 
wish to yourself? — Har. [Diving in his pockets, and grubbing 
out an old dirt y purse.] Take this money ! — Ball. Already I 
have stretched out my hand, if you may give it me. — Har. 
Take it ! [Gives him the purse.] Here are five pounds of money 
chosen and ready counted ! My master Polymachaeroplacides 
ordered me to bring this to you, which he did owe, and that 
you would send Phgenicium along with me ! — Ball. Your 
master? — Har. So I say. — Ball. The officer? — Har. Sol 
speak. — Ball. The Macedonian ? — Har. Yes, I say. — Ball. 
Has Polymacheeroplacides sent you to me ? — Har. You say 
the truth. — Ball. [Holding the purse.] That you should give 
me this money? — Har, If you are indeed the Pimp Ballio. 
— Ball. And that you should carry away the woman from 
me? — Har. Ay. — Ball. Has he said that it was Phaenicium? 
— Har. You remember right. — Ball. Wait there ! [He takes 
Simo on one side.] — Har. But hasten now in a hurry ! for I 
am in haste. You see that there is much yet to be done in 
the day. — Ball. I see. [Points to Simo.] I want to apply to 
this man also ! Wait only there ! I will return to you even 
now. [To Siyio aside.] What now shall be done, Simo? What 
are we to do ? I plainly understand this man, who has brought 
the money. — Sim. What now is it? — Ball. Do you not know 
what this affair may be ? — Sim. I am nearly with the most 
ignorant. — Ball. Verily that man, the rogue Pseudolus, how 
skilfully he has hatched a cheating trick ! He has given to 
this fellow so much money as the soldier owed, and dressed 
out this man, who should call for the woman. This Pseu- 
dolus of yours employed here this man, as if he were from 
the Macedonian officer. — Sim. Have you the money from the 



PSEUDOLUS. 173 

man i — Ball. Do you ask about that which you see here ? 
{Opens his hand with the purse in it.] — Sim. Harkye ! Remem- 
ber therefore to give me of the plunder, half of that ! It is 
right that that should be between us. — Ball. What ! A curse ! 
Why the whole of it is yours!— Har. [Bawling loud.~\ How 
soon are you to attend to me ? — Ball. I am attending to you 
truly. [To Simo.] What now do you advise me, Simo ?— 
Sim. Let us make game of this speculating fellow ! — Ball. 
Very well ! until he himself shall have perceived, that he is 
made sport of. [To Harpax loudly."] Come hither you! 
[Harpax goes to them.'] What do you say? Now are you the 
servant of that man 1—Har. Most certainly. — Ball. For how 
much has he bought you? — Har. By victory in battle, at 
the price of his own strength. For 1 was a very great com- 
mander at home in my own country ! — Ball. Has he ever 
sacked the prison, your native place ? — Har. If you shall 
affront me, you shall hear of it ! — Ball. In how many days 
have you come from Sicyo hither ? — Har. By the next day 
at noon. — Ball. You came diligently, faith ! How speedy 
this man is ! [Four lines omitted.] When the soldier used to 
go by night to the watch-guard, did you go with him there? 
Did the sword of the soldier fit your scabbard ? — Har. [Look- 
ing savage at him.] Go you, and be hanged ! — Ball. It must how- 
ever be for you to go there at a proper time to-day. — Har. 
But now, do you send out the woman to me, or give me back 
the money! — Ball. Wait! — Har. Why may I wait? — Ball. 
Tell me about that long cloak, how much it was hired for? 
— Har. [Surlily.] What is it? — Ball. What does your long 
sword gain for you? — Har. [Staring.] There is need of hel- 
lebore for these men! — Ball. [Taking him by the cloak] Hillo! 
ho! — Har. [Struggling off.] Let me go! — Ball. What price 
would your flapped hat take away this day from your mas- 
ter ? — Har. How, from my master ? What are you dreaming 
about? I have all these things indeed of my own, [takes off 
his hat, and looks at it] bought with my own money ! — Ball. 
Is it the money that your trowsers have ? Answer I beg, this 
thing truly and seriously that I ask you ! What do you earn 
now ? At what small price has Pseudolus hired you ? — Har. 
Who is that Pseudolus ? — Ball. Your tutor, who taught you 
this deceit, that you might take away the woman from me 
by cheatings. — Har. What Pseudolus do you talk of to me, 
2 A 



174 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

and what cheatings? Which man I have not known of any 
colour. — Ball. You are not getting out of that now ! There 
is no profit for a cheat here to-day ! Then you, take a mes- 
sage to Pseudolus ; that another has carried off the prize, 
who came here, the prior Harpax. — Har. I am verily and in- 
deed that Harpax ! — Ball. Yes, you want indeed to be so ! 
[To Simo.] This is an arrant cheat. — Har. I gave you mo- 
ney, and awhile ago coming here, a token at once to your 
servant, and a letter sealed with the image impressed of my 
master, here before the door ! — Ball. Have you given a let- 
ter to my servant? What servant? — Har. Syrus. — Ball. There 
is no depending on this. This man is a wicked cheat ! He is 
badly versed in all the minutiae of it. Why the true Harpax 
himself brought that letter hither to me \—Har. I am called 
Harpax ! servant of the Macedonian officer. 1 neither do any 
thing cheatingly, nor malignantly, nor have I known that Pseu- 
dolus, what man he may be, nor do I know him. — Sim. [To 
Ballio.] Unless it is a wonder, Pimp, you have evidently 
lost the woman ! — Ball. I fear that truly more and more, when 
I hear his words. — Si?n. In fact also for a while past that Sy- 
rus freezes my heart, who received this token ! Wonders are 
here ! He is certainly Pseudolus. [To Harpax.] Harkye 
you ! Of what appearance was he awhile ago, to whom you 
gave the token ? — Har. A certain red-haired man, with thick 
legs, swarthy, with a large head, sharp eyes, red face, and 
very large feet! — Sim. You have destroyed us, after you 
mentioned the feet. It was Pseudolus himself. — Ball. [Strik- 
ing his forehead.] It is all over with me ! I now die, Simo. — 
Har. Odds-bobs I will not suffer you to die, unless the mo- 
ney is given back to me, the whole twenty pounds. — Sim. 
And also to me twenty other pounds. — Ball. [To Simo.] 
Will that sum be taken away from me, which I promised 
only in a joke? At least give Pseudolus to me ! — Sim. Shall 
I give up Pseudolus to you ? What has he done wrong ? Have 
I not told you a hundred times, that you should take care of 
yourself from him? — Ball. He has destroyed me ! — Sim. But he 
has bilked me out of twenty good pounds ! — Ball. What shall 
I do now? — Har. If you shall have given me the money, go 
and hang yourself! — Ball. May the gods destroy you! Fol- 
low me therefore this way to the Forum, that I may pay you. 
— Har. I follow you. — Ball. To-day 1 shall be rid of stran- 



PSEUDOLUS. 175 

gers. To-morrow I will have to do with citizens. [Five lines 
omitted.] It is certain, that I am making this day, the day of 
death to me, instead of my birth-day ! [Exeunt Ballio and 
Harpax <at the back scene.] 

SCENA OCTAVA. 

Manet Simo. 

Sim. [Looking after them]. I touched that fellow well ! But 
my servant touchedjwell his enemy ! Now I am determined 
to lie in wait for Pseudolus, in a different manner from what 
is done in comedies, where they lie in wait for servants with 
goads and whips. But I will now without revenge, draw out 
the twenty pounds, which I promised him in case he should 
have effected the matter. I will take them down against him 
voluntarily. That man Pseudolus is very skilful, very crafty, 
and very bad ! And has exceeded Dolus at Troy, and 
Ulysses ! Now I will go in-doors, and draw forth the money, 
and lie in wait for Pseudolus. [Exit Simo into his house.] 



ACTUS QUINTUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Pseudolus from the side scene drunk, and having his 
head crowned with a garland and chaplet. 

Pseu. [Staggering forward.] What's all this ? Does this 
happen in this way ? [He staggers.] Do ye stand or not, good 
feet of mine ? Or, do you wish that some one may take me 
up, when sprawling here ? Now, odds-bobs, if I shall have 
fallen [looks down at his feet,] it will be your fault. [He tries 
to step forward, and reels, but recovers.] Now are you proceed- 
ing to get forward, feet of mine ? Ah, I must be in a rage 
to-day ! Now this is a great fault in wine, it lays hold of 
the feet first, and is a false wrestler ! Verily and truly I am 
marching off [moves a step or two, but staggers and recovers] 



176 M. ACCil PLAUTI 

at this time nobly drunk ! Where's the need, that I should 
make much prosing? This wine is a man's sole reason, why 
he may love life. Here are all pleasures ; in this are all the 
glories of the world. [Ten lines omitted.] In this way have I, 
and my younger master, spent this whole day in good will 
together, after that I performed all my work as I wished, the 
enemy being put to flight. [Ten lines and a half left out, as 
objectionable.'] I came out hither then [hiccups] that I might 
get rid of a surfeit. Now I am coming from my young- 
master to my elder master, to put him in mind of our bar- 
gain. [He goes up staggering to Simo's door, and knocks.] 
Open ye the door! [Knocks again louder.] Open the door! 
Hillo there ! Tell ye to Simo, some or other of you, that I 
am here ! [ He retires a little from the door, and balances himself] 



SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Siyio from his house, with a purse of money in his hand. 

Sim. The voice of a very bad man calls me out of doors ! 
[He looks about, and seeing Pseudolus, stares at him with 
astonishment.] But what is this? how is it? what are you 
about? do I see you thus ? — Pseu. [Staggering towards him.] 
You see your Pseudolus drunk, with a chaplet on his head ! 
— Sim. This is freely done, verily and indeed ! [As he stands 
Pseudolus rocks his body to and fro.] But see the attitude 
of his standing ! Is he frightened on my account, I wonder ? 
I am thinking now, whether I may rather speak to him 
harshly or kindly ! But this that I carry in my hand [holds 
up the purse] hinders my being harsh to him now, if there is 
any hope to me contained in this. — Pseu. [Staggering along 
close up to him.] A bad man goes to meet a very good man. 
— Sim. May the gods love you, Pseudolus ! — Pseu. Fix me 
now steadily, and take care that I may not fall ! Don't you 
see me, how wet with wine I be ? — Sim. What is this impu- 
dence, that you should go in the day-time thus, drunk with 
a chaplet? — Pseu. [Hiccuping.] Why now it pleases me 
much. — Sim. I do believe really, you wretch you, that you 
would be able to drink up four most plentiful grape-harvests 
of Campania in one season ! — Pseu. Say, in the winter 



PSEUDOLUS. 177 

season. — Sim. You admonish well. But tell me however, 
from whence I may say, that you brought that deep-laden 
bark of yours 1—Pseu. I have been drinking just now along 
with your son. But harkye, Simo, how very handsomely 
Ballio has been touched ! Those things that I told you of, 
how I made them be effected !— Sim. Do you hold him in de- 
rision? He is a very bad man. — Pseu. I caused that this 
woman, quite free, be united with your son ! — Sim. I know 
all things in train, as you did every thing.— Pseu. Why there- 
fore do you hesitate to give me the money ISim. You ask 
for your right, I do confess. [He gives him the purse.] Hold 
it fast now. — Pseu. But you did deny that you would give it 
to me, and yet you give it ! [To them enter Ballio from the 
back scene."] Give this man something ! [Points to Ballio.] 
And then do you follow me this way ! — Sim. May 1 give him 
any thing ? — Pseu. You will give him something, I know. — 
Sim. What shall I do to this man ? He readily takes away 
my money from me, and then makes sport of me ! — Pseu. 
Woe to the conquered ! [Pulls Ballio in front of him.] Turn 
yourself this way, man! do you hear? — Ball. I never 
thought this could have happened with regard to me, that I 
should become a suppliant to you! Alas! Alas! Alas! 
[Wrings his hands with distress.] — Pseu. Leave off you! — Ball. 
I heavily grieve ! — Pseu. Unless you would grieve, I should 
grieve! — Ball. [Looking at the purse in his hand.] What's this 
you have ? Do you want to take away money, Pseudolus, 
from your master? — Pseu. With a most willing heart and 
mind ! — Ball. Do you not choose to do a favour to me, as to 
some part of the money from this ? — Pseu. I know you will 
say that I am greedy. For you never shall be richer by one 
penny from this ! Nor would it pity you of my back, if I 
could not have effected this to-day. — Ball. There will be a 
time when I shall punish you if I live ! [He steps away depart- 
ing.] — Pseu. Why do you threaten ? Sure I have my back 
here for you. — Ball, Go on just now ! — Pseu. Therefore re- 
turn ! — Ball. Why may I return ? — Pseu. Return here only ! 
You shall not be deceived. — Ball. [Coming back.] I do re- 
turn. — Pseu. To drink along with me. — Ball. Must I go for 
that purpose? — Pseu. Do what I order you. If you go, 
[points to the purse in his hand] I will make you take away 
from this either half, or even more than that. — Ball. I go ; 



178 M. ACCII PLAUTI PSEUDOLUS. 

lead me where you will. — Pseu. [Going over to Simo.] What 
now! Are you angry at all, Simo, either with me or your 
son, on account of these affairs ? — Sim. Not at all in truth. — 
Pseu. [To Ballio, and points to the side scene, ,] Go this way 
now! — Ball. I follow you. But are you to invite the spec- 
tators also ? — Pseu. Faith they are not used to invite me ; 
nor will I therefore invite them. [He turns to the audience, and 
addresses them.] But if ye are willing to applaud and approve 
of this company of players, and the Fable that has been 
acted, I will invite you for to-morrow. 



END OF THE PSEUDOLUS, 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 
TRINUMMUS. 



CHARACTERS IN THE COMEDY. 



Charmides, a// old gentleman, an Athenian merchant, 
Lesbonicus, the son of Charmides. 
Stasimus, servant to Charmides and Lesbonicus. 
Callicles, a friend of Charmides and Lesbonicus. 
Megaronides, a friend of Charmides and Callicles. 
Philto, an old gentleman. 
Lysiteles, the son of Philto. 
A cheating sycophant or sharper. 



. M. ACCII PLAUTI 
TRINUM'MUS. 



Scene. — A street, with houses and temples. Callicles's 
house on one side, and Philto's on the other, with their 
doors opposite. 



ACTUS PRIMUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 
Enter MEGARONiDEs/rom the back scene and advances. 

Meg. In truth to scold a friend for a deserved fault, is a 
deed in general out of our duty, but in advanced age is 
a matter useful and profitable. Therefore I will reprove my 
friend this day for deserved bad conduct, unwilling indeed 
as I am, unless that my friendship may invite me to do it. 
In truth this disease of depravity has too much encroached 
on good morals, so sick between life and death are nearly 
all the people. But while some are in a distempered state 
thus, in the mean time bad morals, like irrigated grass, have 
sprouted forth most fruitfully. Nor is there any thing now 
plentiful here, unless bad morals ! It is in one's power now 
to reap a most plentiful harvest of these, and here, as is too 
much the case, a set of men make it a matter of more 
account to obtain the favour of a very few, than do that 
which may profit the public in general. Favours thus outdo 
that which is really advantageous. Favours that are a hin- 
drance in many points, and are odious, and cause the ob- 
struction of private and public good. [He retires in medita- 
tion.'] 

2 B 



182 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Callicles from his house. He turns round, and 
speaks to his wife within. 

Call. I wish that our Lar may be decorated with a garland 
to-day. Now wife, have respect for him, that this dwelling 
may turn out to us good, lucky, happy, and fortunate. [He 
turns away from the door, and advances.] And that I may see 
you as soon as it be possible, a dead woman. — Meg. [Behind.] 
This is he, who has become a boy in his old age ; who has 
been guilty of a reprovable fault. I will accost the man! 
[He goes towards Callicles.] — Call. Whose voice sounds 
near me ? — Meg. Of your well-wisher, if you are so as I wish, 
but if you are otherwise, of your enemy, and one angry with 
you. — Call. Health to you, O my friend and equal ! [He 
shakes hands with him.'] How fare you, Megaronides? — Meg. 
Health to you sincerely also, Callicles ! Are you well? have 
you been well? — Call. I am well, and have been very well. 
Meg. How does your wife do? how is she in health? — Call. 
Better than I wish ! — Meg. It is well for you, that she is in 
good health, and lives. — Call. I believe indeed that you re- 
joice, if there is any evil to me! — Meg. That which is good 
to me, I desire the same to be to all my friends. — Call. 
Harkye, how does your wife do? — Meg. She is immortal. 
She lives, and is about to live. — Call. You tell me good 
news indeed; and I pray the gods, that remaining alive, she 
may support your life! — Meg. If she were only married with 
you indeed, I may in truth wish the matter so \ — Call. Do 
you wish we may change wives ? that I may marry yours, 
and you marry mine? — Meg. Have your own wife, as you 
have got her; a bad thing known is best. For if I now were 
to take an unknown one, I may not know what I may do. 
But listen to this, and have done with your jokes, for I come 
hither to you for a certain purpose. — Call. Why do you 
come? — Meg. That I may scold you with many bad words. 
Call. Me? — Meg. Is there any one else here besides you and 
me 1 .— Call. [Looking about.] There is no one. — Meg. Why 
therefore do you ask, whether I am to scold you, or not ? 
unless you think, that I am to reprove myself. [Six lines 
omitted.]— Call. What comes into your mind, that you talk 



TRINUMMUS. 183 

to me thus ? — Meg. Because it becomes all good men and 
good women, to keep suspicion and fault from themselves. 
— Call. Each thing cannot happen. — Meg. Why?- — Call. 
Do you ask? I know in my own breast, suppose, that I will 
not commit a fault. Suspicion lies in another person's 
breast. For if I may suspect, that you stole the crown from 
the head of Jupiter from the capitol, if you may not have 
done that, and yet it may please me to suspect it, how can 
you hinder me that I may not suspect it? But I desire to 
know that business, whatever it is. — Meg. Have you any 
friend or intimate, whose heart may be wise ? — Call. Verily 
I'll speak the truth. There are some, whom I know to be 
friends. Some there are, whom I suspect. There are those, 
whose dispositions and minds I cannot know, whether they 
may incline to the part of a friend, or an enemy. But you 
are the surest of my most certain friends. If you know that 
I have done any thing foolishly, or wickedly, if you do not 
accuse me of that, you yourself are to be reproved. — Meg. 
I know that, and if I came hither for any other cause, you 
request what is right. — Call. I am waiting for it, if you may 
have any thing to say. — Meg. In the first place of all then, 
you are badly spoken of in the conversations of the people. 
Your fellow-citizens stamp you as greedy of filthy lucre. 
But there are also others, who call you a vulture. That you 
care not whether you devour enemies or citizens. When I 
hear these things said against you, I am wretched tortured. 
— Call. It is, and it is not in my own power, Megaronides. 
With regard to their saying it, that is not in my power. That 
they may not deservedly say it, that is within my power. — 
Meg. Was this Charmides your friend?— Call. He was, and 
is now. That you may believe it to be so, I will tell you a 
matter as authority. That is to say, after his son dissipated 
his property, and he himself was dragged down to poverty, 
and that his daughter was a grown-up girl, also that his mo- 
ther was dead, and his wife dead, as he was to go himself 
hence to Seleucia, he recommended his virgin daughter to 
me, and all his property, and that profligate son. If he were 
my enemy, I believe he would not trust these to me. — Meg. 
What do you say as to the young man, whom you see to be 
corrupted, and who has been committed to your trust and 
care, why do you not recover him? why do you not correct 



184 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

him for the better ? It had been somewhat more just of you 
to give attention to the matter, that you might somehow 
make him a better man, and not that you yourself should 
accede to the same infamy, and mix together his bad dispo- 
sition along with your evil way. — Call. What have I done \ 
— Meg. That which a bad man would do.— Call. That is not 
my way. — Meg. Have you bought or not this house from the 
young man? [Apatite.] Why are you silent? This, where 
you yourself now dwell ? [Points to Callicles's house.~\ — 
Call. I bought it. and gave money, forty pounds, to the 
young man himself, into his hand. — Meg. You gave the 
money ? — Call. It was done, nor does it grieve me of the 
deed. — Meg. A young man truly given up to a bad trust! 
Hav'nt you given him by these means a sword to kill him- 
self with? What else is it, or what difference is there, your 
giving money to a young man loving women, and weak 
of mind, to build up his extravagance when commenced? 
— Call. Should 1 not pay him the money ? — Meg. You should 
not give it him. You should neither buy any thing from 
him, nor sell to him. Nor should you give him opportunity, 
by which he might become worse. Have you wronged him 
who has been committed to you ? He that committed him to 
you, have you driven that man out of his house? Upon my 
word it was well entrusted to you, and finely taken care of! 
Believe this, he might have managed his own affair better. — 
Call. You subdue me, Megaronides, with your accusations 
in a manner quite novel, so that what was trusted to my 
silence, faith, and confidence, and that I should not tell it to 
any one, lest I might make it public, it may be necessary 
now to confide to you. — Meg. Whatever you shall have 
confided to me, you will find it, where you shall have placed 
it. — Call. Look round you then, lest any witness may be 
near us. [The other looks on every side.] And I beg of you, 
again look round! [His friend examines the altar and the 
house-doors.] — Meg. [Coming back to him.] I listen now, if 
you may tell me any thing! — Call. If you can be silent, I 
w r ill speak — As Charmides went from hence abroad, he 
shewed me a treasure in this house, here in a certain closet — 
[Callicles starts as if hearing a noise.] But do look about! 
— Meg. [Looking round,] There is no one. — Call. [Continuing 
his narration.] Of Philippian pieces to the number of three 






TRINUMMUS. 185 

thousand. Alone with me, and weeping, he entreated me 
through friendship and trust, that I would not let that 
be known to his son, nor to any one, by whom it might be 
divulged to him. Now if he comes back here safe, I will 
give back his own to him. If any thing shail have hap- 
pened there, I certainly have a store, from whence I may give 
a portion to his daughter, who was committed to me, that I 
may fix that condition of life upon her, that is befitting her. 
— Meg. [In surprise.'] O immortal gods! how soon in a few 
words you have made me another man! I had come to you 
quite different. But as you have begun, go on further to in- 
form me! — Call. What shall I tell you? how that profligate 
young man has almost entirely destroyed his wisdom and my 
trust, and all those hidden things! — Meg. How so? — Call. 
Because, while I am in the country only six days, without 
consulting me, and I being absent and ignorant, he adver- 
tises this house to be sold. — Meg. The wolf thus was ra- 
venous the more, and pressed on more furiously. He observed 
that the dogs were asleep, and wished to turn aside the 
whole entire flock. — Call. He would have done it in truth, 
unless the dogs might have perceived it beforehand. But 
now I want to ask you in my turn, what was my duty that I 
should do, and let me know it ; whether it was right that I 
should discover the treasure to him, against that very thing 
which his father might have begged of me? or should I 
suffer another master to be in possession of this house? 
Should the money be his, that bought it? I bought the 
house rather, and gave the money for the sake of the trea- 
sure, that I might deliver it up to my friend. Nor have I 
bought the house for myself, nor my own profit. I have 
bought it back for him again. I gave the money from my- 
self. These things are so. Whether right or wrong, they 
are done. I confess, Megaronides, that I have done so. 
There see my bad deeds ! There is my avarice for you! On 
account of these things do your revilings bear on me? — 
Meg. Stop ! you have conquered your chastiser! You have 
shut up my tongue. There is nothing that I can answer.— 
Call. Now I beg of you that you may assist me with your 
care and counsel, and may hold in common with me this 
duty of mine ! — Meg. I promise you my assistance. — Call. 
Therefore where will you be a short time hence? — Meg. At 



186 M. ACC1I PLAUTI 

home ! — Call, Do you wish any thing else? — Meg. That you 
may mind your trust. — Call. It is done diligently. — Meg. 
But what do you say? — Call. What do you want? — Meg. 
Where does the young man now keep ? — Call. When he 
sold the house, he retained to himself this back-apartment 
here. — Meg. I wished to know that. In truth go away now. 
[Callicles moves off a few steps.'] But what do you say ? — 
Call. [Coming back.] What? — Meg. The girl, I suppose, is 
now with you? — Call. She is so, and I take care of her, al- 
most as if she were my own. — Meg. You do rightly. — Call. 
Before I depart, are you about to ask me any thing? — Meg. 
Farewell ! [Exit Callicles into his home.] Nothing in truth 
is more foolish and stupid, nor more false-tongued, nor more 
tattling, nor more audacious, nor more perjured, than these 
citizens, so diligent in town, whom they call witty jesters ! 
And I myself thus conduct myself in the same way along 
with them, who have been a receiver of their false words. 
Men who pretend that they know all things, neither do they 
really know any thing. They know only what every one of 
them has in his mind, or is about to have. They know, as 
they fancy, what a king may have whispered to his queen. 
They know too what Juno said in conversation with Jupiter! 
Things which never were about to be, and never were done, 
yet those chaps know them. They care not a straw whether 
they may praise, or abuse, whom they like, falsely or truly, 
as long as they may be sure of that, which can be agreeable 
to them. All men used to say, that this Callicles was un- 
worthy of this realm, and even to live, who could have ruined 
this young man with his own money. From the words of 
these tale-bearers, Iin ignorance sprung forward to chastise 
my harmless friend. But if the authority was required al- 
ways from the root, from whence those men can tell of what 
was heard, unless that may appear clear, the matter ought to 
be with loss and injury to the tale-bearer. If this were done 
so, it were done for the public good. I would cause that 
there be few, who may know what really they don't know, 
and that they may have their silly talking more confined. 
[Exit Megadorus at the back scene.] 



TRINUMMUS. 187 

ACTUS SECUNDUS. 
SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Ly sit eles from Philto's house, and advances, 
wrapt in thought. 

Lys. I am revolving many things in my mind at once, and 
get much uneasiness in thinking of them. I myself am 
heating myself, and fretting and fatiguing myself. Hence 
my working mind is a master over me. But this thing is 
not clear to me, nor enough studied by me, which plan of 
the two I may rather follow for myself, that I may judge of 
greater stability for passing my life ; whether it may be pre- 
ferable that I should be subservient to love, or obtaining 
property in the world. On which side of the question there 
may be more pleasure of life, to the passing one's years, of 
this matter it is not perfectly clear to me. [Nineteen lines 
omitted as tedious.] Love in truth gives bitter things to you 
in plenty, which circumstance may be of bad consequence. 
This quality avoids the Forum, drives away your relatives, 
and itself drives itself away from its own contemplation. 
Nor do any men wish, that a man such as that be called 
their friend. In a thousand ways love is to be known 
nothing of, is to be kept afar off, and abstained from. For 
whosoever has fallen into love, perishes worse, than if he 
may leap from a rock. Then, get you gone, Love ! Keep your 
business to yourself! O Love, may you not ever be my 
friend ! There are some however whom thou canst keep 
wretchedly and miserably, whom thou hast made liable to 
thee. I am determined to apply my mind to worldly ad- 
vantage, though in that is practised great labour to the 
mind. Good men wish these things to themselves ; pro- 
perty, trust, honour, glory, and favour. This is the reward 
to upright men. Therefore it pleases me more to live with 
upright men, rather than with wicked vain-talking people. 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 



SCENA SECUNDA. 



Enter Philto from his house. 

Phil. [Looking about.] Where has that man taken himself 
abroad out of the house? — Lys. [Coming up to him.'] I am 
here, father! Order me any thing. I will neither delay you, 
nor will I hide myself from your sight in any skulking 
place. — Phil, You will have done what is consonant to your 
other actions, if you will reverence your father. Now I ex- 
hort you by your duty ; I am unwilling, my son, that you 
hold any conversation with wicked men, neither to talk to 
them in the street, nor in the Forum. I have known this 
age, of what morals it may be. A bad man wishes a good 
man to be bad, that he may be like himself. Bad morals 
disturb and jumble every thing. There is the rapacious 
man, and the covetous, and also the envious. They make a 
sacred thing profane, and a public thing their private emo- 
lument. It is a* greedy nation. I grieve at these things. 
These are the affairs that torture me. [Seven lines omitted as 
tedious.] But live thou in my method, and ancient manners. 
The things, which I prescribe to you, practise them. I have 
no patience with those silly ways, and confused ones, with 
which even good men disgrace themselves. If you will fulfil 
these my commands, things many and good will settle in 
your breast. — Lys. Ever until this age from early youth, I 
have given a submission to your commands and precepts, 
father. With respect to my mind, I have supposed myself 
to be free. And as to your command, I have thought it 
right, that my mind should serve a servitude to you. — Phil. 
[Five lines omitted.] If you have conquered your mind, rather 
than your mind has conquered you, that is what you may 
rejoice at. It is much more proper that you should be so 
as is requisite, than as it pleases your inclination. They 
who conquer their mind are always estimated better men, 
than those whom their inclination subdues. — Lys. I always 
had these things as a covering protection to my age ; that I 
should never carry myself to any place, where there might 
be an assemblage of what is bad ; that I should not go by 
night to walk about, and that I should not take away his 
own from any other man. That I should not produce un- 



TRTNUMMUS. 189 

easiness to you, my father, I have diligently taken care.— 
Phil. Are you reproaching me as to any thing? As to that 
which you have done well, you did it for yourself, not for 
me. My age is almost passed. That matter chiefly sig- 
nifies to your own. That is a good man, whom it does not 
repent how good he may be, and of what good thrift. He 
who himself only pleases himself, is neither good, nor of 
good thrift. — Lys. On account of that subject, father, I 
have thought of these things, that there is a certain matter, 
which I wish that I may obtain from you by entreaty. — 
Phil, What is that? I delight to comply with you. — Lys. 
To this young man here, of a very great family, and my 
friend and equal, who has managed his property less cau- 
tiously and considerately than should be, father, I am will- 
ing to do a benefit, if you are not unwilling ! — Phil. Of your 
own means, I suppose ? — Lys. Of my own certainly. Now 
what is yours is mine, but all mine is yours. — Phil. 
How does he go on ? is he in want? — Lys. He is in need. — 
Phil. Had he a fortune? — Lys. He had. — Phil. How has he 
lost it ? was he related to public business, or maritime af- 
fairs ? had he merchandise, or any articles to be sold, when 
he lost his property ? — Lys. Nothing of those things. — Phil. 
What therefore ? — Lys. By his goodnature in truth, father. 
Besides, to please his mind, he dissipated some of it in 
luxuries and delights. — Phil. See there now truly, a man 
spoke of almost as your intimate ! who never indeed broke 
his fortune by any thing that was good, and is now in want. 
I have no patience that he should be your friend with qua- 
lities of that sort. — Lys. Because he is without all bad dis- 
position, I am willing to bear with his poverty. — Phil. That 
man deserves ill from a reduced beggar, who gives him what 
he eats, and what he may drink; for he both loses that 
which he gives, and produces a life to the other tending to 
misery. I do not say this for that reason, that I may not be 
willing to do what you wish ; and in fact I will do it will- 
ingly ; but when I say this word to any person, I am to 
shew to you, that it must pity you of all others in such a 
way, that it may not pity others of you. — Lys. It shames 
me to desert him, and decline assistance in his adversity. — 
Phil. Faith it is better to be ashamed, than to suffer grief 
and vexation.— Lys, In truth I will say, father, we have 
2 c 



190 M. ACCII PLALTI 

much riches well got, by the power of the gods, and of our 
ancestors, and by yourown power. If you may have benefited 
a friend, let it not grieve you to have done so ; but that 
it may shame you rather, if you may not have done it. — Phil. 
If you may take any thing from great riches, does it become 
more or less ? — Lys. Less, father. But do you know what 
is wont to be sung to a niggardly citizen ? " Have not what 
you have; and that which you have, esteem it a bad thing 
to have ; since you can neither bear to benefit yourself, nor 
another." — Phil. I know indeed that it used to be so ; but, 
my son, that man is blameless, who has nothing with which 
he may perform his duty. — Lys. We have riches by the 
power of the gods, which we may both use ourselves, and 
with which we may be united with other benevolent men. — 
Phil. Now, faith, I cannot refuse you any thing that you 
may wish. Whose poverty do you wish to relieve ? Speak 
out openly to your father. — Lys. This young man's Lesbo- 
nicus, the son of Charmides, who dwells there. [He points 
to Callicles's house.'] — Phil. He who has devoured what 
was his own, and what was not. — Lys. Do not rail at him, 
father ! Many things happen to a man, that he likes, and 
also that he does not like. — Phil. Come now, speak out, 
what you now wish to give him ! — Lys. Nothing at all, fa- 
ther! [Seven lines omitted, the scene being so very long.] Do 
thou only hinder me not from receiving it, if he may give 
any thing tome. — Phil. If you shall have received any thing 
from him, pray will you relieve his poverty by that? — Lys. 
By that now, father. — Phil. Now faith, 1 wish you may 
teach me that piece of wisdom. — Lys. Certainly. Do you 
know him, from what family he may be born ? — Phil. I know 
he is from one excellent good. — Lys. There is his sister, a 
fine girl grown up ! I desire, father, to make her my wife ! 
— Phil. What? without a portion? — Lys. Yes, without a 
portion. — Phil. Your wife ? — Lys. Just so, and your money 
being safe too. By this means you will have the greatest 
favour from him. Nor will you be able to help him by any 
means more conveniently. — Phil. Shall I suffer you to take 
a wife without a portion ? — Lys. You must suffer it, father ; 
and by that means you will have added fine reputation to 
our family. — Phil. Truly since I see you bringing in both 
friendship and favour into our family, though I have been 



TlilNUMMUS. 191 

opposed to you, I judge the matter thus ; I permit you to 
ask for the girl, and to marry her. — Lys. [Clapping his 
hands.'] May the gods have preserved you to me ! But add 
to that favour one thing ! — Phil. But what is that one thing? 
— Lys. I will speak it out. You yourself go to him, you 
yourself conciliate him, you yourself ask for the girl ! — 
Phil. Let me see now about that! — Lys. You will very 
quickly transact it. All will be strong, that you shall have 
done. One word of yours will be more weighty to that 
affair, than a hundred of mine. — Phil. Behold you now, I 
have agreed to this business in kindness. My assistance 
shall be given. — Lys. You are an obliging man ! This is the 
house. [He points to Callicles's door.] Here he keeps. 
His name is Lesbonicus. Come on now, and mind the af- 
fair! I will wait for you at home. [Exit L^siteles into 
Philto's house. 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Philto solus. 
Phil. These things are not very good, nor as I think it 
right to do. But they are better, than those things that are 
worse. But this one thing now consoles me and my mind, 
that he who counsels in respect to a son^nothing else than 
what pleases himself alone, does nothing at all, becomes 
wretched in mind, and makes the matter in no way more ef- 
fectual. That man prepares a more inclement winter for his 
old age, when he stirs up that untimely storm. [The door of 
Callicles's house is opened.] But lo! the house is opened 
now, where I was going. Opportunely Lesbonicus himself 
is going out of doors with his servant. [Philto retires.] 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter from Callicles's house Lesbonicus, followed 
by his servant Stasimus. 

Lesb. There are less than fifteen days, since you received 
from Callicles forty pounds for this house ; is this not so as 
I say, Stasimus? — Stas. When I consider, I seem to re- 
member that it was done. — Lesb. What has been done with 
that money? — Stas. It was eaten and drunken, stripped 



192 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

away, and washed away in the bagnios. The fishman, the 
baker carried it off. Also, the butchers, cooks, gardeners, 
perfumers, and poulterers. It was done up quickly, as if 
you were to throw a poppy to the ants. [He gives his master 
a paper of accounts.'] — Lesb. [Looking over it.] Now less was 
taken up in these matters than six pounds. — Stas. Why what 
have you given to harlots ? — Lesb. I subtract that from the 
money also. — Stas. Why what have I stole by cheating ? — 
Lesb. Ay ! ay ! That is the principal account of it. — Stas. 
That cannot appear to you so, if you may pretend it ; unless 
you suppose your money to be immortal; too late and 
foolish and what ought to have been taken care of before, a 
man after he has ate up his money, thinks of counting it after- 
ward ! — Lesb. The proper account of the money however by 
no means appears. — Stas. Indeed and verily the account ap- 
pears there, but the money is gone. You received forty 
pounds from Callicles, and he received the house from you 
in right of possession. — Lesb. Yes, certainly. — Phil. [Be- 
hind.] I think our relation truly has sold his house ! When 
his father shall come from abroad, his place is at the gate, 
unless perhaps he shall have crept into his son's stomach ! 
— Stas. [To his master.] A thousand Olympian drachmas, 
which you owed of an account, have been paid to the banker. 
— Lesb. I suppose, those which I engaged for. — Stas. Verily 
say, those which I paid down ! Those which you gave out 
according to engagement very lately for that young man, 
that you said was sick. — Lesb. It was done. — Stas. So that 
it must have been lost. — Lesb. That also happened, for I 
saw him miserable, and it pitied me for him. — Stas. It pitieth 
you of others, but of yourself it neither pitieth, nor shameth 
you. — Phil. [Behind.] It is the right time of accosting him. 
[He advances.] — Lesb. [Looking round.] Is this Philto who is 
coming to me ? It is certainly he himself. — Stas. Truly faith 
I were to wish, that he became my slave with all his money ! 
— Phil. [Coming up.] Philto most truly salutes the master 
and servant, Lesbonicus and Stasimus ! — Lesb. May the 
gods give you, Philto, whatever things you may wish for ! 
How is your son ? — Phil. He wishes well to you. — Lesb. 
Truly he does what is mutual with me. — Phil. My son sent 
me to you, that I might conciliate affinity and good-will be- 
tween him and you. He wishes to marry your sister, and I 



TRINUMMUS. 193 

have the same opinion, and wish it. — Lesb. [Stares at him 
looking surprised.] Aha ! I know your way. In your prospe- 
rity you laugh at my calamities. — Phil. {Putting his hand on 
his breast.] I am a man. You are a man. So shall Jupiter 
love me, I neither came to deride you, nor do I think you 
worthy of it. But this matter is as I said. My son entreated 
me, that I should require your sister as a wife for him.— 
Lesb. It is right that I may have known the course of my 
own affairs. Our party is not equal with yours. Seek ye 
some other affinity for yourselves. — Stas. [Aside to him.] Are 
you sound of mind or intellect, who can reject this proposal ! 
Truly I observe that a friend is found ready to help you. — 
Lesb. [To Stasimus.] Get away hence to the gibbet! — 
Stas. If faith I were to begin to go there, you would forbid 
it! — Lesb. [To Philto.] Unless you want me as to any 
thing else, Philto, I have answered you. — Phil. I trust, Les- 
bonicus, that you will be kinder to me one day, than I now 
find you to be. Be it known, that both to act foolishly, and 
to talk foolishly, each at once in a man's life, is not a good 
thing, Lesbonicus. — Stas. By Hercules, he says the truth ! — 
Lesb. [With his fist held up at Stasimus.] I will dig out your 
eye, if you shall have added a single word. — Stas. But odds- 
bobs I will speak however ! for if it shall not be lawful to 
speak so here at present, I shall speak afterward blind of one 
eye I— Phil. [To Lesbonicus.] Do you say now thus, that 
your families and wealth are not equal with our ours ? — Lesb. 
I do say so. — Phil. But why thus ? if you shall have come 
into a house to supper, and if by chance a wealthy man shall 
have come there to you on the same footing, and a supper be 
laid down which they call a fine one, where rarities may 
have been gathered from clients — if any thing may please you 
that may have been gathered there, do you set about eating, 
or would you recline with the rich man without your supper ? 
— Lesb. I should have eaten, unless he may forbid it. — Stas. 
But I faith, although he may forbid it, would eat and de- 
vour with both cheeks filled. [Nine lines omitted.] — Phil. 
Make yourself think thus, Lesbonicus, that it is best, that 
you yourself may be the best. If you cannot think that* at 
least that you may be the next to the best. Now I wish you, 
Lesbonicus, to give and receive this proposal, which I bring, 
and which I ask from you. The gods are rich, opulence be- 



194 M. ACC1I PLAUTI 

fits them, and power. But we are little beings of men, and 
when at once we have lost our small portion of life, the 
beggar and the most opulent man, when dead, is accounted 
with an equal valuation at Acheron.— Stas. It were a wonder, 
if you cannot carry your wishes there, that when you be dead, 
you may be in the same condition still, since your name is 
up for that. — Phil. Now that you may know, that party and 
riches are not here, and that we do not neglect your favour, 
I require for my son your sister without a portion. May 
which affair turn out happily ! have I that agreed to? [A 
pause,] Why are you silent IStas. [Clapping his hands.] O 
immortal gods ! of what a sort now is this proposal ! — Phil. 
[To Lesbonicus.] Do but speak, and may the gods prosper 
it, the word, " I promise her." — Stas. Alas ! when there 
was no use in the word, he used to say, " I promise." Now 
here, when there is need, he cannot say it. — Lesb. Since 
you think me worthy of your alliance, I have now great gra- 
titude to you, Philto. But though in truth my folly has fallen 
heavily upon me, Philto, we have a piece of land under the 
city here, and I will give it as a portion to my sister. For 
that only is remaining and left to me of my folly, besides 
my life. — Phil. In truth I dwell not on a portion. — Lesb. I 
am determined to give it. — Stas. O my master, do you wish 
to give away from us that nurse of ours, which supports us? 
guard against having done that, what shall we ourselves eat 
afterward ? — Lesb. [To Stasimus.] Do you hold your 
tongue now ! Shall I give an account to you ? — Stas. [Aside.] 
We are evidently done for, unless I devise something. 
[Beckons to Philto.] Philto, I want you. [He removes to 
a little distance, and beckons again to Philto.] — Phil. [Going 
to him.] Do you wish for any thing, Stasimus ? — Stas. Step 
aside some way hither. [They go farther from Lesbonicus.] 
— Phil. By all means.— Stas. I tell you this thing secretly, 
that he may not know it from you, nor any one else. — Phil. 
Trust to me boldly what pleases you ! — Stas. By gods and 
men 1 say to you, that you must not have suffered that land 
ever to become yours, nor your son's, and I will tell you the 
story of the affair.— Phil. In truth it pleases me to hear it. 
— Stas. First of all, when at any time the land is ploughed, 
in every fifth furrow the oxen die.— Phil. [Knocking his stick 
down.] Get you gone with that !— Stas. The gate of Acheron 



TRINUMMUS. 195 

is in our field! And besides, the wine fruit, before it is ga- 
thered, hangs stinking from the tree. — Lesb. [Looking at 
them from a distance.'] He is persuading the man something, 
I believe, but though he is wicked, he is not unfaithful to 
me. — Stas. [To Philto.] Hear the rest, Sir! After that 
thing, when elsewhere there is the greatest harvest of wheat, 
there is a return of three times less, than you may have 
sown I— Phil. Aha ! it must be that some bad habits are 
sown there, if they can die in the sowing. — Stas. Nor is there 
ever any one, whose property the field was, but the affair may 
have turned out in the worst way to him, whosoever it was. 
Some went to banish themselves, others died, and others 
hanged themselves. Now, this man whom it belongs to, 
how he is reduced to his wit's end ? — Phil. [Shaking his head.'] 
Begone with that field from me L — Stas. You may say still 
more " begone with it," if you shall have heard all things 
from me. For the trees alternate are struck with lightning. 
Most shockingly the hogs die of a sorethroat! The sheep are 
scabby, and alas, are as bare of wool, as my hand is. Then 
besides of the Syrian men, which is a race of people most 
hardy, no one remains, who may have lived there six months. 
All die so with the disease of the solstice ! — Phil. I believe 
that to be so, Stasimus. But the Campanian race now out- 
does by much the hardihood of the Syrians. But that piece 
of land, according as I have heard you tell, is truly the one, 
into which it is proper that all bad men should be publicly 
sent. [Four lines omitted.]— Stas. That field is the receptacle 
of all calamity. What need is there of words? Looking for 
any bad thing whatsoever, you can find it there. — Phil. But 
faith you may find it there, and elsewhere too. — Stas. Guard 
against your having said, that I told you this ! — Phil. You have 
said it to one quite silent. — Stas. But this man indeed wishes 
that it should be put away from him, if in fact he could find 
any one, whom he can cheat about it. — Phil. The field verily 
and truly never shall be mine. — Stas. If you will be wise in- 
deed! [Philto goes towards Lesbonicus.] Odds-bodikins 
1 have frightened this old fellow from the field cleverly ! For 
if my master shall have lost that, there is nothing that we 
may live upon. — Phil. I return to you, Lesbonicus ! — Lesb. 
Tell me, I pray, what he has been saying with you. — PhiL 
What do you think? He is a man, and he wishes to be made 



196 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

free; but he has not the money that he may give for it. — 
Lesb. And I wish to be rich, but in vain I wish it. — Stas. 
[Aside.'] It was possible once if you would be willing, but 
now, because you have nothing, it is not possible. — Lesb. 
Stasimus, what are you saying with yourself? — Stas. Con- 
cerning that which you said just now; if you might have 
been willing before this, you could be a rich man. Now too 
late you desire it. — Phil. [To Lesbonicus.] You cannot 
agree with me concerning the portion. Whatever pleases 
you, transact it yourself with my son. Now I only require 
your sister for my son. May which affair turn out well ! 
What now? [A pause.] Are you still considering? — Lesb. 
What as to him here?* Since you wish it so, may the gods 
prosper it! I promise her to your son. — Phil. Never to any 
one in truth was a child born so wished for, as that word 
" I promise" has sprung up to me ! —Stas. The gods will make 
blest your counsels/ — Phil. So I wish ! — Lesb. But, Stasi- 
mus, go away hither [poi?its to Callicles's house] to my 
sister, and to Callicles, and tell them this business, how it 
has been done. — Stas. I shall go. — Lesb. And congratulate 
my sister. — Stas. Certainly. — Phil. But go this way with 
me, Lesbonicus, [points to his own house] that a day may 
be fixed for the nuptials in Lysiteles's presence. We will 
confirm these things on that same day. [Exit Philto into 
his own house.] — Lesb. [To Stasimus.] Take you care of that 
which I ordered ! I will now continue here. Tell Callicles that 
he must meet me. — Stas. But do you go now ! — Lesb. That 
he may see concerning the portion, what may be need of 
being done. — Stas. Go now at once ! — Lesb. For it is cer- 
tain, that I do not give her without a portion. — Stas. [Shov- 
ing his master.] But go now, go ! — Lesb. Nor indeed will I 
ever suffer, that a loss be to her. — Stas. [Bawling in his ear.] 
Get you gone now ! — Lesb. My negligence. Stas. [Shoul- 
dering him.] Go now ! — Lesb. [Clapping his hands together.] 
O my father, it seems right, that I should not have done any 
thing bad. — Stas. Go, go, go, go! — Lesb. And that must be 
chiefly against me ! — Stas. [Pushing him violently.] Get you 
gone now! — Lesb. O my father, lo shall I ever behold thee 
again ! — Stas. [Pushing him along to Philto's door.] Go now, 
go now, go ! [Exit Lesbonicus into Philto's house.] Well, 

* The expression "quid isthic" means, as it often does in Terence, "quid istum hie" 



TRINUMMUS. 



197 



at last I have got him to go away. Gods and faith ! In truth 
by a matter carried on in evil by me, how finely it was ma- 
naged, so that the piece ofland is saved to us ! though it is 
still very doubtful, what may turn out concerning this affair. 
But if the field is alienated, it is all over with my neck. A 
shield must be borne, a helmet, and a knapsack in a foreign 
country ! My master will fly away from the city, when the 
nuptials shall be over. He will go somewhere into utter 
destruction to pillage, either into Asia, or into Cilicia. [He 
looks at Callicles's door.] I will go hither where it was 
commanded me, though I hate this house, ever after this 
master of mine drove us out of our walls. [Exit Stasimus 
into Callicles's house.] 



ACTUS TERTIUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Callicles from his house, followed by Stasimus. 

Call. In what way have you told that, Stasimus ? that my 
master's son Lesbonicus has betrothed his sister? — Stas. In 
this way I said it. — Call. To what man hath he betrothed 
her ? — Stas. To Lysiteles the son of Philto, and without a 
portion. — Call. Will he give her without a portion into so 
great riches? You say a thing incredible. — Stas. Why truly 
you may believe, or not. If you don't believe it, I will 

have believed now Call. What? — Stas. That I care not 

about it. — Call. How long ago was that, or when was it con- 
tracted? — Stas. Immediately before the door here. — Call. 
Has Lesbonicus become so much more frugal in his ruined 
condition, than in his affluence? — Stas. Why truly Philto 
himself came of his own accord to entreat for his son. — 
Call. Indeed and verily it will be a vile fault, unless a por- 
tion shall be given to the girl. Lastly in truth I think that 
that affair belongs to me. I will go to my reprover, and will 
ask advice from him. [Exit Callicles in haste at the back 
scene.] — Stas. [Solus.] I almost perceive why that man may 
hurry there, and 1 smell out, that he may turn out Lesbonicus 
2 i) 



198 M. ACCIl PLAUTI 

from his land, since he has turned him out of his house. O 
my master Charmides, how your business is distracted here, 
while thou art absent ! O that I may see you returned safe, 
that you may avenge your enemies, and that you may return 
the favour to me, as I have been, and am now towards you ! 
It is a very rare case, that a friend be found, so as the name 
is called, to whom when you shall have trusted your busi- 
ness, you may sleep without any anxiety. [He looks at Phil- 
to's door suddenly opened.] But behold him, I see our son-in- 
law going along with his relative by marriage ! I know not 
why, there is not much agreement between them. They are 
going with a quick step each of them. The one catches the 
preceding one by the cloak. They have stood near each 
other, in no pleasant way. I will go off here some little dis- 
tance. I have a desire to hear the talk of these two relations. 
[Stasimus retires near the back scene. ,] 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter hastily from Philto's house Lesb on icus, followed 
by Lysiteles. 

Lys. [Catching hold of his cloak.] Stop now at once ! Do 
not turn away, nor hide yourself from me ! — Lesb. [Shaking 
him off.] Can't you suffer me to go where I was going ? — 
Lys. If, Lesbonicus, it may seem to your advantage, or glory, 
or fame, I can suffer you. — Lesb. You do what is most easy 
to you. — Lys. What is that? — Lesb. An injury to a friend. 
Lys. Neither is that my way, nor have I learned to do so. — 
Lesb. Untaught then, how cleverly you do it ! What would 
you do, if any one might have taught you to be so hateful to 
me! who, when you pretend to do well to me, use me ill, and 
think evil. — Lys. What I? — Lesb. You truly ! — Lys. What do 
I do bad ? — Lesb. When you do that which I don't like. — Lys. 
I am desirous to consider well your advantage. — Lesb. Are 
you better to me, than I am to myself? I am wise enough, I 
see sufficiently for myself matters that may be to my ad- 
vantage. — Lys. Is that to be wise, to reject a kindness from 
a well-wisher? — Lesb. I reckon that to be no kindness, which 
does not please him, on whom you may confer it. I know 
and perceive, myself, what I shall do, nor does this office go 



TRINUMMUS. 199 

from me. Nor am I driven by your words, that I may not 
mind public report. — Lys. What do you say ? And now I 
cannot be restrained, but must say those things, that you 
deserve ; have your ancestors so handed down their fame to 
you, that you should lose by crime things gained before by 
their virtue ? and that you should become a despoiler of 
the honour of your posterity ? Both your father and grand- 
father made a smooth and easy way for you to seek for 
honour. You have caused that that should be difficult 
by your own fault and negligence in a great degree, and 
with your foolish ways. You have wished to prefer your 
love of women to virtue. Do you believe now that you can 
cover your faults by these means ? Ah ! it is not so. Take 
virtue in your mind, and expel slothfulness from your heart! 
Attend your friends in the Forum, and not at the bed of 
your mistress, as you are wont ! And I wish that piece of 
land to be left to you, on purpose that you may have where- 
withal you may be able to correct yourself, and lest the 
citizens, whom you have your enemies, may be able to throw 
in your teeth your poverty. — Lesb. I know all things that 
you have said there, and shall even have subscribed to them, 
that I may have spoiled my paternal consequence, and that 
of my ancestors. I knew how it would become me to be, 
but was not able to do so, wretched as I was; so bound 
with the force of love, and captivated with ease ! I fell into 
deception. And to you now, just as you deserve, I have 
the greatest gratitude. — Lys. But I cannot bear, that mv 
attention should fall off thus, and that you should despise 
in your heart these words. At the same time it grieves me, 
that you are not ashamed. And lastly, unless you listen to 
me, and do this matter as I say, you yourself will lie behind 
yourself, so that honour may not find you. You will lie in 
secret, when you will wish yourself to be chiefly famous. I 
have known well, Lesbonicus, your unskilful mind. I know 
that you have not erred of your own accord, but that love 
darkened your breast, and I myself know all the ways of 
love. [Six lines omitted as tedious and dull.'] But I advise you, 
that you may think with yourself over and over this matter, 
what you may wish to do at present. If you try that con- 
duct, according as you now shew a sign, you will make a 
combustion of your whole family. And then therefore you 



200 M. ACCH PLAUTI 

will have a desire of water, with which you may extinguish 
what you have done. And it will be, that if you shall have 
got it, as lovers are subtle in their heart, you will not leave 
one spark of fire, with which your family may brighten up. 
— Lesb. You wish that I may give you my sister, and to per- 
suade me to give her without portion. This is not agreeable 
to me ; that I, who have abused so great paternal property, 
should moreover be in wealth, and retain a piece of land ; 
but also that she should be in want of it; so that she might 
deservedly hate me. He never will be severe as to others' 
property, who makes himself unconcerned about his own. 
As I have said, so I will do. I am unwilling that you may 
be in doubt any longer. — Lys. Is it now so much better 
that you for your sister's sake incur poverty, and that I 
should have that land, rather than you, who must support 
your own establishment? — Lesb. I disapprove that you look 
so much to me, that you may lighten my poverty, but rather 
look to me, that poor I may not be disgraced, that they may 
not spread about this report, that I had given my own sister 
without portion thus into concubinage to you, more than 
into matrimony. Who can be said to be more profligate 
than me ; and this spreading of a report, may do honour to 
you, but must defile me, if you shall have married my sister 
without a portion ! To you it may be a gain of honour, to 
me it must be abuse, which they may throw in my teeth. — 
Lys. I know you in truth, how you are disposed in mind ; I 
see it, I smell it out, I perceive it. You do it that you may 
have contracted our alliance between us, may have given 
that land to me, nor have any thing to support life, that 
you may fly from the city in poverty, may forsake your 
country a fugitive, your relations, your alliance, your 
friends, when the nuptials are once over. Then they may 
say, that by my effort you were frightened away hence, and 
by my avarice. Do not induce your mind to think, that I 
can suffer it to happen, that I could commit that. — Stas. 
[Behind.] I cannot but exclaim, Well done ! Well done ! 
Lysiteles, again you have the victory easily ! [Stasimus 
comes up.] This man is conquered! [Pointing to Lesbonicus.] 
Your performance has conquered ! [Pointing to Lysiteles.] 
— Lesb. What is this interruption, or accession brought 
hither to your design ? — Stas. In the same way that I have 



TRINUMMUS. 201 

acceded hither, I ^shall have abceded. [He retires back.] — 
Lesb. [Pointing to Callicles's house.'] Go with me this way- 
home, Lysiteles ; there we will talk more of those affairs. — 
Lys. I am used to do nothing in private. As my mind is, 
so I will speak. If your sister, as I think right, is so given 
to me in marriage without a portion, and you are not about 
to depart hence, that which shall be mine, shall be yours. 
But if you are minded otherwise, may your conduct turn out 
well to you ! I will never be a friend to you on any other 
condition. So is my fixed determination. [Exit Lysi- 
teles into Philto's house.] — Stas. [Advancing.] He has 
now departed truly and verily ! Hillo ! do you hear ! Lysi- 
teles ! [Calling after him.] I want you now ! [Exit Lesbo- 
nicus into Callicles's house.] This man also has gone away 
hence. You remain alone, Stasimus. What now shall I 
do ? unless that I may fasten my knapsack, and put my 
shield at my back, and order underleathers to be sewed be- 
neath my socks. It cannot be delayed. [Six lines omitted.] 
I will now go to the Forum ; and from the man to whom I 
lent a talent six days ago, will ask it back, that I may have 
provision for my journey, which I may carry along with me. 
[Exit Stasimus at the back scene.] 



SCENA TERTIA. 
Enter Meg aron ides and CALLicLES,/ro/ra the side scene. 

Meg. As you tell me the affair, Callicles, altogether it can 
by no means be, but that a portion must be given to the girl. 
— Call. For in truth it cannot almost be done honourably, 
that I may suffer her to marry without a portion, when I can 
have a property for her in my house at home. — Meg. That 
dowry is ready at home, unless you wish to wait ; for her 
brother may possibly put her in a married state without a 
portion. Afterward go to Philto yourself, and tell him that 
you give the portion to her, and that you do that on account 
of the friendship of her father. But I am afraid of this ; 
lest that promise may cast you into accusation and disgrace 
with the people. They may say, not without reason, that 
you are kind to the girl, because a portion was given you 
by her father, which you should give to her. That you are 



202 xAI. ACCII PLAUTI 

bountiful to her from that, nor even so as it can be given, 
that you may stand safe with her, and they may say, that 
you have subtracted from it. Now, if you are willing to 
wait for the arrival of Charmides, it is a very long time to 
wait. Two hundred years may in the mean time have passed 
away. — Call. Be it known to you in truth, all those things 
come into my mind. — Meg. See if you think this thing more 
feasible, and to the purpose ; that I may go to Lesbonicus, 
and acquaint him how the matter stands. — Call. What ? that 
I may discover the treasure now to an ill-regulated young 
man full of love and wantonness ? No, no, verily and truly, 
no ! for I know for certain, that he will have eaten up the 
whole place where the treasure is fixed ; which I am afraid 
to dig, lest he may hear the sound, and lest he may trace out 
the affair itself, if I shall have said, that I give the girl a 
portion. — Meg. In what way therefore can you proceed? — 
Call. The portion can be taken out secretly, while an oppor- 
tunity may be found for that business ; in the mean time you 
can ask for the money from a friend somewhere or other. — 
Mc°\ Can it be got from a friend now somewhere or other? 
— Call. It can. — Meg. Silly stuff! Truly you will have 
found at once that answer, " indeed and in truth I have not 
any thing that I can lend." — Call. I can have rather truly, 
I would say to him, that you may speak truth, than that you 
may lend to me. — Meg. But see this plan if it pleases you. 
— Call. What plan is it? — Meg. I have found a clever 
scheme, as I think. — Call. What is it? — Meg. Let some man 
now be hired, as soon as possible, as if he were a foreigner. 

Call. What is he to know to do afterward ? — Meg. Let 

that man be drest now artfully according to a foreign fashion ! 
his face must be unknown, and which may not have been 
seen ; get some lying, impudent fellow for this purpose. — 
Call. What then afterward ? — 'Meg. Let him come as if from 
Seleucia, to the young man from his father, that he may an- 
nounce salutation to him in the words of his father; that he 
was managing his business successfully, was well and alive, 
and that he was about to return immediately ; let him bring 
two letters ; let us direct them, as if they may be from the 
father ; let him give one to him, and say that he wants to give 
the other to you. — Call. Go on now further to tell me! — 
Meg. And let him say, that he brings gold to the girl from 



TRINUMMUS. 203 

her father, as a portion for her, and that her father had 
ordered him to give that gold to you. Do you take me now? 
— Call. Nearly; and I hear you with great satisfaction. — 
Meg. Then therefore you finally will give that gold to the 
young man, when the girl shall be placed into wedlock. — 
Call. Very cleverly indeed contrived ! — Meg. By this, when 
you shall have dug out the treasure, you will have removed 
from the young man, any suspicion he might have. He will 
think that gold w r as brought to you from his father. You 
will take the money from the treasure. — Call. Very know- 
ingly and well hit off! Although it shames me at this time 
of my age to be playing tricks. But when he shall bring 
sealed letters, if indeed he shall have brought sealed letters, 
do you not think, that that young man has known the stamp of 
his father's ring ? — Meg. Do you not hold your tongue now ? 
Six hundred reasons can be brought for that affair, for in- 
stance, he lost that which he had ; he made another new 
one afterward. Now, if he shall not bring them sealed with 
it, this can be said, that they had been sealed again by the 
revenue officers, and had been inspected by them. To wear 
the day out in talking on business of this sort, is now mere 
idleness, although long speeches may be spun out. Go away 
now at once to that treasure secretly ! remove away the new 
servants and the maids. [Callicles moves towards his house.~] 
And do you hear 1—Ca/l. [Turns about.] What is it 2— Meg. 
Contrive also to conceal this affair from your wife, for in 
truth there is nothing that she can be able to be silent about. 
[Callicles stands in meditation .] Why do you stand now? 
Why do you not move yourself off hence, and stir your- 
self? Open the treasure, and draw out thence, what gold 
is enough for this affair. Immediately shut it up again, but 
secretly, as I have charged you. Drive all the people out 
of the house. — Call. I will do so. — Meg. But now we are 
using too long discourse. We are destroying the day ; and 
there is some need now of the thing being hastened. There 
is nothing that you may fear about the seal ; see me here ! 
[Stamps his stick in bravery, .] That is a clever reason to say, 
as I before mentioned, that the letters were inspected by the 
officers. Lastly, don't you see the time of day ? What do 
you think of him of that disposition and mind as he has ? he 
is now already drunk. Any thing will be possible to be ap- 



204 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

proved of. Then, what's the best thing of all, he will say to 
you to bring it to him, and that he is not to seek that here. 
— Call. It is enough now ! — Meg. I am now to hire a sharper 
for you f/om the Forum; and I will immediately seal two 
letters, and will send them hither to that young man, a 
matter well contrived. — Call. I am going therefore in-doors 
to my duty. Do you mind that business. — Meg. I will make 
it completely done ; unless 1 am a trifling fool.* 



ACTUS QUARTUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter C h a rmides from the back scene, and advances. 

Char. [Lifting his hands.'] To the brother of Jupiter, potent 
o'er the sea, and greatly powerful, 1 joyful and willing give 
praises and (gratitude, and return thanks, and to the salt 
waves, since a power may have been given to me over my 
property, and over my life, and since they cause me to return 
from their places into my native country, and the walls of 
my own city. And to you, O Neptune, I give and now feel 
thankfulness before all other gods. [Ten lines omitted as te- 
dious.] Just now the raging winds, in such-like way as rave- 
nous does, not otherwise, stood about our ship. Rains, and 
surges, and destructive squalls had prevailed to break our 
mast, to throw down the yards, and to tear the sails to pieces, 
unless your kindness had been favourable, and near at hand. 
Go your way now ! From that time in future I am deter- 
mined to give myself up to ease. I have got sufficient 
money ; but with what calamities have I struggled, while I 
am seeking riches for my son ! [He looks towards the back 
scene.'] But who is this man that enters into the street, with 
a novel dress on, and a very strange appearance also ? Now 
in truth, though I wish for my home, I will wait to see what 
business this chap may be about! [C ha rmides retires*] 

* The word " nngas" should be " nugax." 









TRINUMMUS. 205 



SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter the Sycophanta or Sharper from the back scene, 
ivith a large flapped hat, cloak fyc. and advances, holding let- 
ters in his hand. 

Syco. To this day I will give the name Trinummus, for this 
day I have given my attention to tricking schemes for three 
pieces of money. I arrive from Seleucia, from Macedonia, 
from Asia, and Arabia, which I never occupied with my 
eyes, nor with my feet. See now what business poverty 
gives to a man wretched in calamity! I am the person, who 
am now for the sake of three pieces of money compelled to 
say that I got these letters from that man whom I know not, 
nor ever have known, whoever he may be ; nor do I know, 
whether he may have been born ornot. — Char. [Behind]. By 
the la ! this fellow is indeed of the fungus kind ; he covers 
himself totally [alluding to his expansive hat] with the top 
of him ! He seems an odd appearance of a man, he comes in 
such a garb !— Syco. He that hired me, conducted me away 
home, when he hired me. He told me what he wished to be 
done. He taught and shewed beforehand, how I should do 
every thing. Now then, if I shall have added any thing more, 
my employer will value better on that account these tricks 
of mine. [Four lines omitted.] — Char. [Behind^] The more I 
look, the less this man's face pleases me. It is a wonder if 
thatfellow is not a night-robber, or a cutpurse ! [the Sharper 
stares round at the places.] He is viewing the places, he looks 
about him, and notices the houses. I believe in truth, that 
he examines the places, where he may come by and by to 
rob. I have a desire still more to watch what he can be 
doing here. £will attend to that business. — Syco. [Looking 
hard at Callicles's house.] That employer described to me 
these places, and at that house [pointing] my tricks are to be 
fixed. I will knock at the door! [He goes over.]— Char. 
[Behind.] This man verily goes direct to our house. By the 
la! I must keep watch here this night, upon my arrival. — 
Syco. [Knocks at the door.} Open ye this, open ye the door! 
Hillo ! Who has the care of this door?— Char. [Coming up to 
him.] What do you inquire about, young man ? what do you 
2e 



206 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

want? Why do you knock at this door? — Syco. [Turning 
round.] Aha! old gentleman, an account was given, when I 
properly answered the Roman censor. I seek here a young 
man Lesbonicus, in this country, to find out where he may 
dwell, and also another man, of that same whiteness of head 
that you have ! He who gave me these letters, said that he 
was called Callicles. — Char. [Aside.] He seeks here, I find, 
my son Lesbonicus, and my friend Callicles, to whom I en- 
trusted my children and my property. — Syco. Make me ac- 
quainted, father, if you know it, where these men may 
dwell. — Char. Why do you seek them? for who are you ? 
or whence are you? or from whom do you come? — Syco. 
You ask many things together ! I know not which I shall 
answer chiefly. But if you will ask me each thing singly 
and quietly, I will cause you to know both my name and 
my business, and my journeyings. — Char* I will do so as 
you wish. Come on then, first tell me your name. — Syco. 
A hard task you are beginning to demand. — Char. Why so ? — 
Syco. Because, father, if you were to begin before daylight 
to proceed from my first name, it were midnight before you 
can have come to the end. — Char. Speak out, what those 
men owe to you, whom you are searching for? — .Syco. The 
father of that young man Lesbonicus gave me these two let- 
ters. [Sheivs them in his hand.] He is my friend ! — Char. 
[Aside] I have the fellow manifested. He says that I gave 
him letters. J will sport with the man finely I — Syco. So, as 
I bsgan, if you can attend to me, I will tell the matter. — Char. 
I will give attention to you. — Syco. He ordered me to give 
this letter to his son, [points to it] and also to give this other 
letter [points to another letter in his hand] to his friend Callicles. — 
Char. [Aside.] By the la ! it pleases me now, when he is quiz- 
zing, to quiz the fellow again. [To the Sycophant.] Where was he 
himself? — Syco. He was carrying on his affairs w«ll. — Char.But 
where? — Syco. In Seleucia. — Char. Have you received these 
letters from himself *-—Sy co. He gave them tome himself with 
his own hands into my hands. — Char. Of what appearance is 
the man ?- — Syco. He is indeed taller than you by half a 
foot. — Char. [Aside.] This matter is odd ! if now I am taller 
absent than present! [To the Sycophant.] Have you known 
the man? : — Syco. Ridiculously you ask me as to him, with 
whom I am used to eat rav victuals. — Char. What is his 



TRINUMMUS. 207 

name l—Syco. That which in truth belongs to a good man, 
— Char. It pleases me to hear it from you. — Syco. [In some 
confusion.} He in truth — his — his — name ! — [slapping his 
forehead] Woe to wretched me I— Char. What is the matter? 
— Syco. [Aside.] Imprudent I have just now swallowed the 
name. — Char. A man does not please me, who has his friends 
between his shut-up teeth ! — Syco. [Aside.] And yet the 
name was turning on the tops of my lips ! — Char. [Aside.] I 
came to-day in good time before this fellow ! — Syco. [Aside.] 
Wretched now I am plainly in a hobble! — Char. [To the 
man.] Have you now thought upon the name ? — Syco. It 
shames me now, faith of gods and men. I will make it out 
again by the letters. C is the beginning of the name. — 
Char. Is it Callicias ? — Syco. It is not. — Char. Is it Cal- 
lippus ? — Syco. It is not. — Char. Callidemides ? — Syco. No ! 
— Char. Is it Callinicus ? — Syco. It is not. — Char. Calli- 
marchus ? — Syco. You are wrong. Nor therefore in fact do 
I care about it, since I myself remember my friend. — Char. 
What is it like? if we can find it by conjecture. — Syco. It 
is like this now CHAR something ! — Char. Is it Chares ? or 
Charidemus, or whether is it Charmides 2— Syco. Aha ! That 
same he will be, but may the gods destroy him ! — Char. I 
said long ago to you, it is just that you speak well of a 
friend, rather than badly. — Syco. Has not a man of no esti- 
mation stuck fast between my lips and my teeth? — Char. 
Speak not badly of an absent friend ! — Syco. Why there- 
fore did that most rascally chap lie concealed from me ? — 
Char. If you would have called him by his name, he might 
have answered you. But where is he himself? — Syco. 
Truly I left him at Rhadamas in the isle of Cecrops. — Char. 
[Aside.] What man is more silly than me, who myself can 
inquire where I may be ! but it is not unimportant to this 
affair, [lb 'the man.] What do you say? — Syco. What? — 
Char. I ask you this. What places have you gone to? — 
Syco. Exceeding wonderful in astonishing ways ! — Char. It 
is a pleasure to hear them, unless it is troublesome to you. 
— St/co. But I do not dislike to tell them. First then we 
were carried to the Arabian land into Pontus. — Char. Oho ! 
is then Arabia in Pontus? — Syco. It is — not that land where 
frankincense is produced, but where wormwood is, and 
poultry marjoram ! — Char. [Aside] An excessive shrewd 



208 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

and crafty cheat this ! But I am more silly. [To the Syco- 
phant.'] What is your name, young man ? — Syco. Peace ! — 
That is my name ! — Char. But what do you say ? Where 
have you gone moreover from thence ? — Syco. If you can 
attend to me, I will tell it. To the head of the river that 
rises from the sky, under the throne of Jupiter. — Char. 
[Staring at him amazed.'] Under the throne of Jupiter ? — 
Syco. So I say. — Char. Out of the sky ? — Syco. And out of 
the middle of it indeed. — Char. Oho ! why have you gone 
up into the sky ? — Syco. Yes, we were carried in a little skiff, 
always with a contrary tide up the river ! — Char. Oho ! 
what have you also seen Jupiter ? — Syco. The other gods 
said that he had gone to his villa to take out victuals for the 

servants ! Then moreover Char. Then moreover I have 

no mind that you say anything more. — Syco. I now have no 
mind, if you are interrupting thus. — Char. For it behoves a 
man to be modest, who can have reached the heaven from 
the earth. — Syco. I will dismiss you, as I see that you wish 
to be off. But point out these men to me. I am seeking 
these, to whom it behoves me to bear these letters. — Char. 
What do you say now ? if perchance you shall have seen 
that Charmides himself, him that you mention to have given 
those letters to you, will you have known the man? — Syco. 
Verily do you think "me actually a brute beast, who cannot 
indeed have known the man, with whom I may have passed 
my whole life? Would he have been so foolish as to trust a 
thousand pieces of money to me, Philippians, which gold 
he ordered me to carry to his son, and to his friend Callicles, 
to whom he said, that he had entrusted his property? 
Would he trust me, unless he had known me, and I had 
known him well. — Char. [Aside.] Verily and truly now I 
wish to swindle this swindler, if I can but circumvent him 
as to this thousand of Philippian pieces, which he said that 
I gave him. A man, that I know not who he is, nor ever 
saw with my eyes before this day. Would I trust gold to 
that fellow ? To whom, if my head was at stake, I would 
never trust even a leaden dump. This man must be ac- 
costed by me craftily! [To the man.] Harkye, Mister Peace ! 
I want you for three words ! — Syco. Even three hundred, if 
it pleases you. — Char. Have you that gold that you received 
from Charmides ? — Si/co. Yes, and Philippian too, counted 



TRINUMMUS. 209 

On his table with his own hand, a thousand of pieces. — Char. 
That is to say, that you received it from Charmides himself ! 
— Syco. It were a wonder, but I should receive it from his 
father, or great grandfather, who are dead ! — Char. Young 
man, give that gold to me ! — Syco. [Staring at him.'] What 
gold may I give to you ? — Char. That which you confessed 
that you received from me. — Syco. [Staring with eyes and 
jaws open.] Received from you ? — Char. I say so. — Syco. 
What man art thou? — Char. Who gave you a thousand 
pieces of money — lam Charmides! — Syco. [Sneering.] Faith 
you are not he, nor willyou be he this day, for this gold at 
any rate. Go away, you cheat! [Pushes him.] You want to 
cheat the cheater, I see. — Char. I truly am Charmides ! — 
Syco. You are that man in vain now, for I carry no gold. 
You crept in very cunningly at the very nick of time. After 
I said that I carried gold, you became Charmides the in- 
stant after. You were not he, before I made mention of the 
gold. You don't succeed now. Therefore in the same man- 
ner that you have Charmides'd yourself, again uncharmides 
yourself. — Char. Who am I therefore, if I am not he that I 
really am? — Syco. How does that belong to me? — Char. If 
you have any thing to do, do it now ! — Syco. What shall I 
do ? — Char. Give me back the gold I— Syco. You are dozing, 
my old fellow ! — Char. Have you confessed, that Charmides 
gave you gold? — Syco. Written down indeed. — Char. Thou 
night-robber, do you hasten, or do you delay to march off at 
once from these places, before I order you here to be beaten 
severely? — Syco. For what reason? — Char. With respect to 
him, whom you told lies about. I am Charmides himself, 
whom you declared to have given you letters ! — Syco. Oho ! 
I beg now, are you he 1 — Char. I am he verily and truly. — 
Syco. Do you say at length, you are he himself? — Char. I 
say so. — Syco. He himself are you? — Char. He himself, I 
say ; I am Charmides ! — Syco-. [Stepping back.] You are him- 
self therefore ? — Char. His very self ! Get away hence out 
of my sight, you scoundrel ! — Syco. Because you come now 
so late, you shall be flogged upon my judgment, and that of 
the new iEdiles ! — Char. But do you also now speak ma- 
liciously? — Syco. Yes ! Since you arrive here safe, may the 
gods destroy you ! Though I care not a straw, whether you 
might have perished or not first ! I am to receive money on 



210 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

account of this job. I am to afflict you with mischief! 
But who you may be, or who you may not be, I care not a 
jot ! I will go to him who gave me the three pieces of money, 
and tell him of this, that he may know that he has lost them. 
I am off! Live with a curse, and badly fare you ! [Exit Sy- 
cophant a at the back scene, proudly stalking.] — Char. [Solu*.] 
After that fellow has departed, the time seems to have 
come, and an opportunity of speaking out freely. That sting 
hurts my breast already, what business he may have had 
before my house. For that letter calls up fear in my heart, 
and I know not what affair that thousand pieces of money 
may be transacting. Faith the little bell never sounded for 
nothing, and unless some one handles or moves it, it is 
dumb and silent. [He looks at the back scene.] But who is 
this, that is taking his course hither, into our street? It is a 
pleasure to observe what he may be about. I will step aside 
hither. [Gharmides retires and goes to the side scene.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter Stasimus from the back scene staggering drunk, 
and advances. 

Stas. [Five lines omitted.] See now, Stasimus, what a man of 
nothing you are! [Looking at his Jinger.] Have you entirely 
foro-ot your ring in the spirit-shop,* after you drenched your 
throat with hot liquor? [Hiccups.] Turn about now, and run 
back to seek for it, while the matter is new ! — Char. [Behind.] 
This man's throat, whoever he is, is his master ; and that 
teaches him the course he is to go.— Stas. [To himself.] Why, 
thou man of nothing, does it not shame you ? that you should 
with only three cups be forgetful in memory? [Staggers.] 
Whether in truth because you drank there with honest fellows, 
are they such as would keep their hands off from another 
man's property? There wasTheruchus, Circonieus, Crinnus, 
Carcobulus, Callabus, &e. Among those men do you solicit 
that you get back your ring ? One of those fellows actually 
stole away the ground from me while I was running. 
[Staggers.] — Char. [Behind.] So may the gods love me, a 
clever thief was that!— Stas. Why may I seek what is abso- 
lutely gone ? unless also I may add labour to my loss, as an 
addition over and above ! But don't you think, that what's 

* The slaves among the ancient Romans wor* a, wag asa badge pffjavery. 



TRINUMMUS. 211 

lost, is lost? About-ship, and take yourself back to your 
master ! [He stagg€rs round.'] — Char, [Behind.'] This man is 
not a runaway, he remembers his home. — Stas. I wish that 
our old customs, and old parsimonious ways were a greater 
honour here, rather than our bad ways. — Char. [Behind.] 
Immortal gods ! This man begins to talk of noble doings ! 
he seeks old things, and you may know that he loves ancient 
things, and the custom of our ancestors. — Stas. For the 
manners now-a-days do nothing that it is lawful to do, un- 
less what is pleasant. Ambition now is sanctified by cus- 
tom, and is free from the laws. To throw away shields 
in battle, and to fly from the enemy, are allowed by 
custom. To seek honour for a crime committed, is also 
done by custom. — Char. [Behind.] Bad indeed ! — Stas. 
Customs now have brought the laws into their power, to 
which they are more tyrannical, than parents are over their 
children. Those sad laws are fixed up to the wall harshly 
with iron nails, where it had been much more just, that bad 
customs should be clung up. — Char. [Behind.] It is pleasant 
to me to go up to this man and accost him, though I listen 
to him with much satisfaction, and I fear if I shall address 
him, lest he may begin to talk of some other matter. — Stas. 
Nor in those customs is any thing sanctified by the law, but 
the laws are subservient to custom. These customs also 
hasten to overturn every thing, wherever it is sacred, and 
wherever it is public. — Char. Truly it is worthy, that some 
great calamity be inflicted on those bad customs. — Stas. 
[Five lines omitted.] If there be any one, who may have lent 
money, it becomes lost for good and all. When you may 
ask it back, you find that from your kindness, your friend is 
become your enemy. If you may wish to exact more, a 
choice of two things arises ; you must either lose that which 
you may have entrusted, or will have lost that man as a 
friend. — Char. Certainly this is Stasimus my servant ! — 
Stas. For I, as to this talent which I had lent, have bought 
myself an enemy by this my talent, and have sold off a 
friend. But I am very silly here, who can mind public affairs, 
rather than what's my nearest interest, how I may find safety 
for my back. [Shrugs his shoulders.] I am going home now. 
[He moves slowly along the front of the stage.] — Char. Hillo ! 
you, stop at once ! Hear now ! harkye you ! — Stas. I stop 



212 M. ACCII PLAUT1 

not ! — Char. But I wish you to stop ! — Stas. What if I don't 
like you to wish it ! [He still goes o?i.~] — Char. Ha ! you be- 
have too fiercely, Stasimus ! — Stas. It is better for you to 
buy one, that you can command. — Char. I bought one 
surely, and gave the money ! [Six lines and a half omitted as 
prolix.'] But look at me hither! I am Charmides! — Stas. 
[Looking about.] Ah ! what man there makes mention of that 
most excellent person? — Char. [Coming forward.] That most 
excellent person himself! — Stas. [Clapping his hands toge- 
ther.] O sea, earth, heavens, gods, and faith ! do I see clearly 
enough with my eyes ? is it himself, or is it not now ? It is 
he. It is certainly he. It is really he. O my most wished- 
for master, health to you ! — Char. Health to you also, Sta- 
simus ! — Stas. I rejoice that you are safe. — Char. I know it, 
and believe you, But I am omitting other things. Answer 
me this ! How are my children whom I left here, a son and 
a daughter? — Stas. They are alive and well. — Char. That is 
to say, each of them? — Stas. Each indeed. — Char. [Raising 
his hands.] The gods wished me safe and preserved ! The rest 
that I want to know, I will inquire about within at my 
leisure. Let us go in-doors ; follow me ! [He goes towards 
Callicles's house.] — Stas. [Stopping him, and getting be- 
tween him and the door.] Where are you carrying yourself? 
— Char. Where, unless my home ! — Stas. Do you think that 
we dwell here ? — Char. Where else may I judge ? — Stas. [Ina 
hesitation, and rubbing his forehead.] Why now — now — Char. 
W T hat now — now? — Stas. That is not our house. — Char. [Step- 
ping back in astonishment.] What do I hear from you ? — Stas. 
Your son sold the house. — Char. [Dropping his hands in de- 
spair.] Then I have perished ! — Stas. For pounds of money. 
counted down out of hand.— C/iar. How many? — Stas. 
Forty. — Char. [Shaking his head, and knocking his stick on 
the ground.] I have fallen. [Eagerly.] Who bought it? — 
Stas. Callicles, to whom you committed your property ; he 
removed hither to dwell, and drove us out of doors. — Char. 
Where does my son now dwell ? — Stas. Here in the back 
chamber behind. — Char. I am grievously ruined ! — Stas. I 
believed, that when you should have heard of it, you would 
be grieved. — Char. I a wretched man, in all my perils have 
been carried through the greatest seas with danger to my 
life, and I have preserved myself through numerous ban- 



TR1NUMMUS. 213 

ditti's ; I have returned safe, and now am here destroyed un- 
fortunate, by means of those, for whose sake I have been 
severely exercised at this advanced age of mine ! [He sheds 
tears, and wipes them away.] Sickness now is taking away my 
life. O Stasimus, support me ! [He faints away in Stasi- 
mus's arms, and Stasimus calls loudly for help.] Stas. Do you 
wish I may seek for water for you ? — Char. [Recovers.] When 
the sickness attacked my life, then it was proper, that water 
be poured upon me. 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter CALLiCLEs/rom his house hastily, dressed in a working 
jacket, and with a spade in his hand, as if he had been digging. 

Call. What is this clamour here, that I hear before my 
house? — Char. [Clapping his hands in great distress and dis- 
traction.] OCallicles! O Callicles ! O thou Callicles! To 
what sort of a friend have I committed all my worldly goods 
here ? — Call. [Embracing him.] To one good, and trusty and 
faithful, and possessed of great honour ! Health to you, my 
friend, and I rejoice that you have arrived safe! — Char. [Shak- 
ing hynds with him.] I believe all those things, that it is so 
as you proclaim. But what is that mode of dress? — Call. 
I will tell you. I was digging out the treasure within, a 
portion that should be given to your daughter. But I will 
tell you within both this and other matters. Follow me! 
[He moves towards the door of his house.] — Char. Stasimus ! 
— Stas. Well, then ? — Char. Run eagerly to the Piraeus, and 
make quick speed. Now you will see there the ship, in 
which we were brought here, and bid Langario to mind, 
that the things which I may have ordered, be brought out of 
it, and do you go with them. The custom has already been 
paid to the officer. — Stas. There is no delay. — Char. Go, go, 
walk, be back at once ! — Stas. I am there and here in a mo- 
ment. — Call. [To Charmides.] Now, follow me this way in- 
doors. [Goes towards his door.] — Char. I follow ! [Moves in his 
steps. ][Exeunt Callicles and Charmides into the house.] — 
Stas. [Solus,] This friend alone stood firm to my master, nor 
changed his mind from steady faithfulness ; although he 
went through many difficulties. But this man only, as I 
2f 



214 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

suspect, preserves his faith. I am of opinion, however, that 
he has taken that trouble on account of some emolument. 
[Exit Stasim us hastily at the back scene.] 



ACTUS QUINTUS 
SCENA PRIMA. 



Enter LYsiTELEsjro?nthe back scene. 

Eys. This man is the chief of all men, as excelling in all 
pleasures and delights. Things that I desire thus turn out 
convenient for him. That which I do, he aims at, enters 
into, and follows on ; and so delight supplies other delights. 
Just now Stasimus, the servant of Lesbonicus, met me. He 
told me, that his master Charmides had arrived hither from 
abroad. He must be met by me now immediately ; that, as 
to the matters which I have transacted with the son, his 
father may be a better source of support to that affair. [He 
looks at Callicles's door.] But this door, with its creaking, 
gives me some delay very inconveniently. [He retires.] 

SCENA SECUNDA. 
Enter Charmides and Callicles from their house. 

Char. There neither was, nor will be, nor do I now think 
that there is, any man on earth, whose faith and fidelity to- 
wards his friend can equal this. For, without you, it might 
have been, he would have ousted me out of this house. — 
Call. If I have done any thing well towards my friend, or 
consulted his advantage faithfully, I seem not to have de- 
served praise. I think only that I have been free from fault. 
For a benefit that is given to a man, really belonging to that 
man, he may have presupposed to be given. What is given, is to 
be made use of, and there is a faculty of seeking it back again, 
when you may wish. — Char. It is so, as you say ; but I cannot 
wonder sufficiently at this, that he betrothed his sister into 
so powerful a family, as to Lysiteles indeed, the son of old 



TRINUMMUS. 215 

Philto. — Lys. [Behind.] I find he is naming me ! — Char, He 
belonged to the most excellent family. — Lys. {Behind.'] Why- 
do I delay to speak to these men ? But I think, that I still 
may wait, for in this he is beginning to speak to the purpose. 
— Char. Well now! — Call. What is it? — Char. I forgot within 
just now to tell you this ; awhile ago a certain lying villain 
approached, meeting me on my arrival, a very knowing syco- 
phant. He said that he was carrying to you, and to my son 
Lesbonicus, a thousand golden pieces of my giving ; a man, 
whom I neither had known who he could be, nor had anywhere 
seen him before. [Callicles laughs heartily,] But why do you 
laugh ? — Call. He came with my embassy, as if he was the 
man who should bring gold to me from you, which I might give 
to your daughter as a portion ; that your son, when I should 
give it him from my hands, might believe that it was brought 
from you, and lest in any way he might be able to under- 
stand the thing itself, and that your treasure was in my pos- 
session, and might demand it from me, by the law of the 
people, as his paternal property. — Char. Cleverly done, by 
my faith! — Call. Megaronides himself, our common friend, 
contrived it. — Char. Why, I praise the scheme, and approve 
of it. — Lys. [Behind.] Why, do I, a fool, stand alone here, 
while I fear to interrupt the discourse? and also am not 
doing what I have tried to do ! I will speak with these men. 
[He advances.] — Char. [Looking back.] Who is this man, 
that is walking hither towards us ? — Lys. [Coming up to 
Charmides, and bowing.] Lysiteles salutes his father-in- 
law Charmides ! — Char. May the gods give ever to you, 
Lysiteles, those things that you may wish for? — Call. [Ad- 
dressing Lysiteles.] Am I not worthy of salutation ? — Lys. 

yes certainly ; now, health be to you, Callicles ! It was 
right, that I should address him first! The tunic, as they 
say, is nearer to the wearer, than the cloak. — Char. [To Ly- 
siteles.] I wish that the gods may direct your counsels. 

1 hear that my daughter has been betrothed to you. — Lys. 
Unless you are unwilling. — Char. Verily I. am not unwilling. 
— Lys. Do you therefore betroth your daughter to me for a 
wife ? — Char. I do betroth her, and a thousand of gold, of 
Philippian pieces, as a portion. — Lys. As for the portion, I 
do not mind it ! — Char. If she pleases you, the portion also 
must be pleasing to you, which she now gives you. Lastly, 



216 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

as to what you wish, you shall not marry her, unless you 
will take that which you do not wish to take. — Call. [To 
Lysiteles.] He speaks what is right. — Lys. [To Calli- 
cles.] He shall obtain the thing, you being the advocate, 
and also the judge. [To Charmides.] With that condition 
do you betroth your daughter to be given to me as a wife ? 
— Char. I do betroth her. — Call. And I promise this same 
thing. — Lys. Oh, then, hail ye my relations ! [He embraces 
eachof them, Charmides^/?^, and then Callicles.] — Char. 
[To Callicles.] And now, there are things, on account of 
which I have been angry with you notwithstanding all. — 
Call. What have I done? — Char. Because you have suffered 
my son to be spoiled ! — Call. If that was done with my con- 
sent and willingness, it is just that you may be angry with 
me. But, suffer me to obtain this thing from you, which I 
wish for! — Char. What is that? — Call. You shall know. 
If he shall have done any thing foolishly, that you may dis- 
miss all those things from your mind. [Charmides shakes 
his head as a refusal.'] Why do you shake your head ? — Char. 
[Putting his hand on his breast.] My heart is tortured, and I 
fear to comply ! — Call. What is that which you fear ? — Char. 
When he is so, as I wish him not to be, I am tortured as to 
that; I fear, if I may refuse you what you ask of me, lest you 
may think yourself of less consequence in respect to me. I 
will not make the matter heavy however. I will do just as 
you wish. — Call. You are a good man. I am going to call 
him out ! [He walks across toivards his door.] — Char. It is a 
wretched thing, when badly deserved matters are as merits, 
and when it is not feasible to punish them. — Call. [Ktiock- 
ing loudly at the door.] Open this ! Open quick, and call ye 
now Lesbonicus out of doors, if he is at home ! It is a sudden 
thing, so that I wish to meet him quickly. [He returns from 
the door.] [A pause, and enter from the same door Lesbonicus.] 
— Les. What man, with so loud a knocking, called me sud- 
denly out of doors? — Call. [Going to him near the door where 
he is standing.] He is your well-wisher, and friend. — Les. Is 
every thing well, tell me ?— Call. I am rejoicing properly, 
that your father has returned safe from abroad — Les. What 

does he say? — Call. I Les. Have you seen him? — Call. 

[Pointing over to Charmides.] And it can be lawful that 
you may see him too.— Les. [Looks across, advances, and takes 



TRINUMMUS. 217 

his father's hand.'] O, my father, my father ! health to you ! 
[He kisses his father's hand affectionately.'] — Char. Well met in- 
deed, my son! — Les. If you have had any difficulty, my fa- 
ther Char. Nothing has happened ; fear not ! My busi- 
ness being prosperous, I return safe. If you are only willing 
to be a prudent and sober man, this daughter of Callicles is 
agreed on for you ' — Les. I will marry her, father ; and 
also, if you shall order me, any other. — Char. Although I 
have been angry with you. — Call. One misery is plenty for 
one man. — Char. Yea truly, it is little enough for him ! And, 
if lie were for his sins to marry a hundred wives, it is little 
enough of misery for him ! — Les. But now, I will be tem- 
perate hereafter. — Char. You say so, if you can but do it 
only. — Les. Is there any reason why I may not bring my wife 
home to-morrow? — Char. It is the best thing. It is granted. 
[To Lysiteles.] Do you be ready against the day after to- 
morrow to marry. [To the Audience.] Clap ye your hands ! 



END OF THE TRINUMMUS. 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 
R U D E N S. 



CHARACTERS IN THE COMEDY. 



Djemones, an Athenian Gentleman, dwelling at Cyrene. 
Pal.estra, his daughter, carried off from him, when young. 
Ampelisca, Iter friend and associate. 
Sceparnio and Gripus, servants of Daemones. 
Pleusidippus, an Athenian young man, Palaestra's lover. 
Trachalio, a servant o^Pleusidippus. 
Ptolemocratia, the priestess of Venus. 
La br ax, a pimp of Cyrene. 
Charmides, a pimp o/'Agrigentum. 
A Fisherman. 



i 



M. ACCII PLAUTI 

R U D E N S. 



Scene. — A street in the suburbs of Cyrene, near the sea-shore, 
which however is not in view — on one side is the house of 
D^mones, on the other a temple of Venus, with their doors 
opposite* An altar of Venus appears at the side scene, and 
beyond her temple. 



ACTUS PRIMUS, 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter from Djemones's house, Sceparnio, with a spade 
and shovel on his shoulder. 

Seep. O immortal gods ! of what sort has Neptune sent us 
the storm in this last night ! The wind has uncovered our 
house. What need of words? It was not a mere wind, but 
what Alcumena met with in Euripides, for it threw down all 
the coverings from the roof. It has made us now more 
lightsome, and has driven in all the windows. [He goes on 
one side, a little way back, and begins to dig.] 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter from the back scene Pleusidippus, and three Citizens 
with drawn swords, 

Pleu. I have both brought you from your occupations, 
and that matter has not gone forward, on account of which 
I have brought you here ; and I have not been able to lay 
hold of that Pimp at the port. But I have been unwilling 
from my own inactivity to desert all hope. Therefore I 
2c 



222 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

have detained you, my friends, too long. [The Citizens bow to 
him, and exeunt at the back scene.] Now I come hither to visit 
the temple of Venus, where the Pimp had said that he was 
about to perform a sacred rite. — Seep. [ Aside.] If I were wise 
now, I must settle smooth this mud that 1 have dug. — Pleu. 
[Turning round.] I know not who is speaking from this place 
near me. [Enter Djemones from his house.] — Dam. [Calling 
out.] Hillo ! Sceparnio ! — Seep. Who names me? — Dam. 
He who gave money for you ! — Seep, As if you were to say, 
that I am your slave. [Sceparnio advances.]— Dam. There 
is use for much mud, and so dig up a deal of earth ! I under- 
stand that my whole house must be covered ; for now it 
shines through, more full of holes, than a sieve. — Pleu. 
[Coming up to them.] Father, health to you ! and both of you 
also! — Dam. Be you well! — Seep. [To Pleusidippus, who 
is muffled in his cloak.] But, whether are you a man, or a 
woman, who can call him father ? — Pleu. I am a man indeed. 
Dam. Now, my man, seek for your father at a distance ! I 
had one daughter, but I lost that one. I never had any child 
of the male sex. — Pleu. But the gods will give one to you. 
— Seep. They will give to you verily and truly a great curse, 
who can occupy with your talking us so busied here. — 
Pleu. [Pointing to the house.] Do ye dwell there? — Seep. 
Why do you ask that? or are you examining the places, 
that you may come by-and-by to rob ? — Pleu. It becomes 
a slave to be rich in his own stock, and a good one, whose 
talking, when his master is present, can go beyond right, or 
who can speak harshly to a free man ! — Seep. And it be- 
comes a shameless, and an impudent man, to come of his own 
accord so troublesome to another man's house, and to whom 
nothing is owed ! — Dam. Hold your peace, Sceparnio ! What 
do you want, young man ? — Pleu. In the first place, to wish 
misfortune to that man, who, when his master may be pre- 
sent, can hasten thus to speak first. But, unless it is trou- 
blesome, I wish to ask about a few matters, from you. 
Dam. My attention shall be given, although I am busy. — 
Seep. [To Pleusidippus.] But, do you go into the marsh, 
and dry some reeds for us, with which we may cover our 
country-house, while it is dry weather. — Dam. [To him.] 
Hold your tongue! [To Pleusidippus.] If you have need 
of any thing, say it. — Pleu. Tell me what 1 ask you! May 



RUDENS. 223 

you have seen here, any man with frizzled hair, grey-headed, 
a bad fellow, and perjured, and a flatterer? — Dam. Very 
many such ! For I, on account of men of that sort, live 
a wretched man. — Pleu. I speak of a man who brought with 
him here into the temple of Venus two young women, and 
who was to prepare for himself, that he might perform 
a sacred rite either to-day or yesterday. — Dam. Verily, 
young man, I have not seen any one there now for these 
some days sacrificing, nor can it be hidden from me, if any 
men sacrifice. They always ask for water here, or fire, or 
vessels, or a knife, or spit, or an entrail-box, or something. 
What need is there of words? I have got ready vessels for 
them, and also a well ; but not for myself. Now, there has 
been an interval during these many days. — Pleu. [Dropping 
his hands.] According as you speak, you now proclaim that I 
am lost! — Dam. For my sake, truly and indeed, by all 
means be safe and sound! — Seep. Harkye, you! who go 
about the temple for the sake of a bellyful, it is better for 
you to order your dinner to be dressed at home ! Perhaps 
you were invited hither to a dinner ; and he who invited you 
is not forth-coming. — Pleu. It is much the case! — Seep. 
There is no danger, that you go home hence without your 
dinner; it is better though that you follow Ceres, rather 
than Venus, for this one cares about love, Ceres attends to 
the wheat. — Pleu. That man has deluded me in unworthy 
ways \—Dam. [Looking out at the side scene.] O, immortal 
gods ! what is that number of men there near the sea-shore? 
— Seep. [Looking out.] As my opinion is, they have been in- 
vited to dinner near the track of their voyage. — Dam. How? 
— Seep. Because, I believe they washed after supper yester- 
day, for their ship is broke to pieces in the sea. — Dam. 
[Looking steadfastly.] It is so, I see. — Seep. But, truly now, 
our house and its roof are on the land!— Dam. [Staring 
through the side scene.] Ah ! Ha ! How many men, poor fel- 
lows, are ye there ? How they are swimming, now cast out of 
the ship ! — Pleu. [Going to the side scene.] Where are those 
men, I beg? — Dam. [Pointing.] Here to your right ; do you 
see them near the shore? — Pleu. I see them. Follow me! 
Fare ye well ! [Exit Pleusidippus rapidly at the side scene.] 
— Seep. If you were not to advise us, we remember ourselves. 
[He looks out again.] But, O Palaemon, holy companion of 



224 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

Neptune, what an exploit do I see ! — Dam. What do you 
see? — Seep. I see two women sitting alone in a little boat ! 
How the wretched women are overwhelmed ! Well done ! 
W T ell done! [Claps his hands."] Very well! The wave has 
turned away the skiff from the rock to the strand, nor could 
a steersman ever do that. I think that I never saw greater 
billows. They are safe, if they shall have escaped those 
billows. Now, now is the danger! A wave has thrown out 
one of them. But she is in a shallow place; [claps his 
hands with joy] she will easily swim out. Good ! good ! 
But do you see, how a wave has thrown that one out? She 
has risen up now ! She is betaking herself hitherward. It 
is a safe matter now. But this other has sprung on the land 
out of the boat ! The one has fallen from fright into the very 
waves, upon her knees. But she is safe! she has escaped 
from the water. She is now on the shore. But she is going 
to the right there, to a bad place. Ah ! she will wander 
about to-day ! — Dam. What does that signify to you ? — 
Seep. If she takes the rock any where, and falls downwards, 
she will have made short w r ork of her wandering! — Dam. If 
you are about to sup this evening off their tables, I think that 
you may attend to them, Sceparnio ; but if you are about to 
eat at my house, I wish that your attention be given to me. 
Seep. You say what is right and just. — Dam. Follow me 
therefore this way !-^— Seep. I follow. [Exeunt into the house.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter' Pa ljestra from the side, with torn and drenched 
garments, in distress. 

Pal. [Leaning on the side scene.] The calamities of human 
creatures are spoken of as very much less miserable, than they 
have of bitterness in reality, in experiencing them. Is this 
agreeable to the Deity, that I should come into strange coun- 
tries, clad with this dress, terrified and cast out? Shall I say 
that I was born to this wretched condition ? Do I receive 
this share of misery on account of my remarkable piety? In 
truth, it would not be any severity to me to suffer this hard- 
ship, if I made myself impious towards a parent, or the gods ! 
But I have promptly taken care to guard against that. [Five 
Hues omitted as tedious.] But the wickedness of this master 



RUDENS. 225 

of mine troubles me ! His impiety afflicts me. That man 
has lost his ship, and all his goods in the sea. [She looks at 
her dress.] These are the relics of his goods. Even she, who 
was carried along with me in the little boat, fell out of it, 
and I am now alone. It is she, who if she could have been 
at least safe, hardship would be lighter to me here with her 
assistance. Now, what hope, or assistance, or what counsel 
can I take ? Such lonely places I have got into here ! On 
the one side are rocks, on the other is the sea ; nor does any 
man come to meet me. [Gathers her gown round her.] This 
that I am clothed with, is my very best riches. Nor do I 
know with what food I shall be fed, nor in what place I can 
be, in which I may be sheltered. What is my hope, with 
which I may be willing that I may live ? I am neither ac- 
quainted with this place, nor have I been here long. At 
least I may wish for some one, who can shew me the way, or 
path, out of these places ; for I am now doubtful, whether I 
must go this way, or that. Nor do I in truth see a cultivated 
field any where near this place. Pain, wandering of mind, 
and terror possess all my limbs. [Clapping her hands.] O my 
wretched parents, ye know not these things, and that I am 
thus miserable as I am ! I have been born free, and in the 
highest rank. In vain I have been so. Now, how am I less 
a slave, than if I might have been born a slave ! Nor, have I 
profited ever, in any way, those who brought me up them- 
selves. [She advances forward, and stands on one side, wrapt in 
sorrow.] 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter at the back scene Ampelisca, with her hands 
clasped in grief. 
Amp. What is better for me, what is more to the purpose, 
than that I may shut out life from this frame, for I am now 
alive so wretched, and so many cares are in my breast, ex- 
hausting all my inmost soul. Now henceforth I preserve not 
my life, for I have lost the hope with which I delighted my- 
self. I have now gone round all the places, and have crept 
in all the hiding-holes, to seek my fellow-slave, with my 
voice, and my eyes, and my ears, that I might trace her out. 
Nor do I find her any where; neither have I thought where 
I can go, nor where I can seek her, neither do I find in the 



226 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

mean time any one to answer, whom I may inquire of. — 
Pal. [Turning her head. ,] What voice sounds near me here? — 
Amp. I am frightened ! Who speaks here near me ? — Pal. 
O my good hope, assist me now, I beg ! — Amp. It is a wo- 
man. A woman's voice comes to my ears. Will you de- 
liver wretched me from this fright I suffer? — Pal. Certainly 
a woman's voice has touched my ears. Is it Ampelisca, I 
beg ? — Amp. Do I hear you, my Palaestra ? — Pal. 1 am to 
call her by her name that she may hear me. [Calls aloud.] 
Ampelisca! — Amp. [Turns her head.] Ah! Who is that? — 
Pal. I am Palsestra! — Amp. Say where you are! — Pal. 
Truly I am in very many distresses ! — Amp. I am your com- 
panion ; nor have I a share less to myself than that belong- 
ing to you. But I wish to see you. — Pal. You are equal 
with me in that. — Amp. Let me follow the voice with my 
step. [She advances by the side scenes, leaning on them, to the 
front.] Where are you? — Pal. Now, behold me here! Give 
me your hand! — Amp. [Coming up.] Receive it! [They join 
hands, and kiss each other.] — But tell me, I beg, are you alive? 
— Amp. You make me now that I can wish to live, since it 
is possible to me to touch you. But I scarce believe this at 
present, that I hold you ; and I pray, embrace me ! [They em- 
brace.] O, my best hope, how you lighten me now of all my 
labours ! — Pal. You employ yourself in saying that which is 
my intended speech. Now it is proper for us to depart hence. 
— Amp. Where, my dear, shall we go ? — Pal. Let us follow 
on, this beach of the sea ! — Amp. I follow wherever it pleases 
you. — Pal. Shall we proceed so with the wet clothing? — Amp. 
As to this evil that is present, it is necessary to bear it. [She 
looks up at the temple.] But what is this, I beg? — Pal. [Look- 
ing about.] What?— -Amp. Do you see, my dear, a temple? 
[She points to it.] Do you see this here? — Pal. [Looking an- 
other way.] Where is it? — Amp. To the right here. — Pal. I 
see a place fit for the gods, and good to be seen. — Amp. It 
must be, that men are not far distant from this; this is so 
nice a place. Now, whoever is the god of the place, I re- 
spect him. I pray [lifts her hands in supplication] that he 
may deliver us wretched women from this calamity, and that 
he may aid with some assistance us, poor females, and loaded 
with misfortune ! [They stand before the temple weeping, in atti- 
tudes of distress.] 



RUDENS. 227 

SCENA QUINTA. 
Enter the Priestess of Venus from the temple. 

Pries. Who are these, that ask with supplications from my 
patroness ? for the voice of supplicants has moved me hi- 
ther out of doors. They follow a good, and complying god- 
dess, and a patroness not severe, and really benevolent. — 
Pal. [Bending her head low.] We greet and salute you, good 
mother! — Pries. Health to you, my virgins ! From whence 
shall I say, that you proceed with that wet garment of yours, 
I beg? both of you so sadly clothed? — Pal. Immediately 
now we go forth from hence, [pointing to the shore] not very 
far from this place. But the place is far distant hence, from 
whence we have been carried hither! — Pries. That is, you 
have been carried hither in a wooden vessel, that rides, 
through sea-blue roads, and ways. — Pal. Yes ! — Pries. There- 
fore it was more proper, that you should come clothed in 
white, and furnished with victims. It is not customary for 
people to come to this temple, according to that fashion of 
yours. — Pal. We have both of us been thrown out from the 
sea, I beg ! Whence have you wished that we could drive 
victims hither ? [They both kneel down to the Priestess, with 
lifted hands.] We now embrace your knees in want of assist- 
ance ; we, who are in unknown hope, in unknown places; 
begging that you may receive us under your roof, and pre- 
serve us, and that it may pity you of us both, unfortunate 
girls, to whom there is neither any place of refuge, nor hope 
at hand, nor have we any thing more than this that you see. — 
Pries. Give me your hands ! [She takes a hand of each.] Rise 
both of you from your knees ! No one of all women is more 
pitying than me. But, my virgins, our substances here are 
poor and scanty, and I myself scarce support life ! I serve 
Venus for my support. — Amp. Is this the temple of Venus, 
I beg? — Pries. I own that; and I am called the Priestess of 
this temple ! But, whatever there is here, every thing shall be 
done kindly by me, as far as my means will avail. Go this 
way with me ! [She points to the door of the temple.] — Pal. 
[Botoing her head.] My good mother, you have honour from us 
warmly and kindly. — Pries. So it is right and proper. [Exeunt 
the Priestess, Palestra, and Amyei*isca, into the temple. 



22 S M. A CC1I PLAUTI 

ACTUS SECUNDUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter some Fisher men from the side scene, carrying hooks 
and lines in their hands. 

1st. Fisher. Men that are poor live in all ways wretched, 
especially they who have no trade, and who have learned no 
art; and, whatever they have at home with sad necessity, that 
must be accounted enough for them. Ye know nearly, how 
rich we now may be, concerning ornament of dress. In these 
matters, the hooks, and these reeds, are our living and our 
clothing. We go out hither from the city to the sea, to get 
our food. We have this business, instead of gymnastic and 
palsestric exercise. We catch our food out of the sea ; but, 
if that event does not happen, and no fish is taken, we return 
home completely salted and drenched, in a heartless way. 
We go to sleep then without our supper. Now, let us adore 
this good Venus, that she will have assisted us handsomely 
this day. [They stand at the door of the temple, and bend their 
knees, and bow their heads. ~\ 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Trachalio at the back scene. 

Trach. I have thwarted my inclination violently, that I 
might not any where miss my master. Be it known, when 
he went out of doors just now, he said that he was going to 
the port ; and ordered me to come to meet him hither, at the 
temple of Venus. [He sees the Fishermen.] But conveniently, 
behold, I see there standing, those whom I may ask ! I will 
go to them. [He goes up the stage to them.] Hail to you, plun- 
derers of the sea, oyster-catchers, and anglers, you hungry 
race of men ! What are ye about? Are ye perishing ? — Fisher. 
As happens to a fisherman, in hunger, thirst, and hope ! — 
Trach. While you are standing here, have you seen any 
young man come here, with an eager face, ruddy and brave- 



RUDENS. 229 

looking, who was leading on three men in cloaks, and armed 
with swords 1— Fisher, We know of no man with that ap- 
pearance, as you mention, to have come hither. — Track. Have 
yon seen any old man, bald before, and a snub-nosed fellow, 
trussed up and pot-bellied, w r ith his eyebrows awry, a narrow 
forehead ; a cheat, and the pest of gods and men, malicious, 
and full of vice and abomination, who was leading with him 
two young women, tolerably handsome ? — Fisher. Whoever 
may have been born with qualities and ways of that sort, it 
is more proper that he should go to the executioner, than to 
Venus. — Track. But, say ye, if ye have seen him ! — Fisher. 
Hither in truth no one of that sort has come. Farewell ! — 
Track. Fare ye well ! [Fxeunt Fishermen at the side scene.] I 
believed it to be so. That was done, which I did suspect. A 
fraud has been passed on my master. The wicked Pimp has 
gone to distant places, went aboard a ship, and carried away 
the women, and I am a true diviner. He even invited my 
master to dinner here ! The sprout of wickedness ! Is any 
thing better for me, than that I shall now wait here for my 
master, until he may come ? If I shall have seen this 
Priestess of Venus, I shall have inquired of the same, if she 
knows any thing more. She will make me better informed 
of the matter. [Teach alio steps on one side.] 



SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter Am pelisc a from the temple, with a pitcher in her hand; 
she speaks to the Priestess within, the door being kept open. 

Amp. I understand — you ordered me to knock at this 
country-house, which is nearest to the temple of Venus, and 
to ask for water ! [ The door is shut, and she walks slowly across.] 
— Track, Whose voice flew now to my ears ? — Amp. [Looking 
towards him.] Who is speaking here, I pray ? Whom do I 
see ? — Track. \_Advancing towards her.] Is this Ampelisca, who 
goes out of doors from the temple ? — Amp. Is this Trachalio 
that I behold, the servant of Pleusidippus? — Track. It is 
she certainly ! — Amp. It is he indeed! now Trachalio, health 
to you !— Track. Hail, Ampelisca! what are you about? — 
Amp. Though not bad, I pass my life unhappily.— Track. Look 
forward to what is better. — Amp. But it becomes all wise 
2h 



230 M. ACCU PLAUTI 

people to confer together, and to hold a chat. Now, my 
dear, where is your.master Pleusidippus ? — Track. Heyday 
now truly ! As if he be not within there ! [Points to the temple.] 

— Amp. He is neither in there now, nor has any one indeed 
come here ! — Track. He has not then come ? — Amp. You say 
the truth. — Track. That is not my word, Ampelisca. But 
how soon is the dinner dressed? — Amp. What dinner, I be- 
seech you ? — Track. Why you make sacred offerings here. 
— Amp. What are you dreaming, my dear ? — Track. Cer- 
tainly, Labrax, your master, invited Pleusidippus, my master, 
hither to dinner! — Amp. Truly you mention things not to be 
wondered at. If he has deceived gods and men, he has acted 
in the manner of all Pimps. — Track. Do not ye perform 
sacred rites here, nor my master either ? — Amp. Guess again ! 
— Track. What are ye doing here therefore? — Amp. Out of 
many calamities, and the greatest fright, and out of danger 
of our lives, this same Priestess of Venus received hither to 
herself, me and Palaestra, deprived of assistance and strength. 

— Track. Is Palaestra here, I beg, the mistress of my master ? 
— Amp. For certain. — Track. There is great joy in your ac- 
count, my Ampelisca ! But it were pleasant to know tkat 
danger, that you may have had. — Amp. Our ship, my Tra- 
chalio, was wrecked this night ! — Track. What, a ship ! what 
story is this? — Amp. Have you not heard, my dear, how the 
Pimp wished to carry us away by stealth hence into Sicily, 
and packed aboard the ship whatever he had at home? All 
those things have now perished. — Track. [Clapping his 
hands."] O clever Neptune, hail to you! There is no dicer 
wiser than you ! In truth you threw r a cast very cleverly 
indeed ! You have destroyed that perjured man ! But where 
is now the Pimp Labrax? — Amp. I think he perished by 
drinking. Neptune invited him this night with large cups. 
— Track. How I do love you, my Ampelisca! How sweet 
you are! what pleasant words you say! But, how are you 
and Palaestra saved? — Amp. I will cause you to know that. 
We both of us in a fright jumped out of the ship into a little 
boat. Because we see the ship carried to the rocks, in haste 
I loosened the rope. While those people are in terror, the 
storm carries us away from them, with the boat off to the 
right hand. And thus we, tossed both by the winds and 
waves, wretched with many examples of death, continued 



RUDENS. 231 

through the livelong night. But the wind brought us this 
day with difficulty to the shore, almost deprived of life. — 
Track. I have known Neptune is so used to do ; although he 
is a proud iEdile ! For if there are bad wares, he casts them 
all out. — Amp. Woe to your head and life! — Track. Woe to 
your own, my Ampelisca ! I knew that the Pimp would do 
this thing that he has done ! I often said it. I will send 
forth a lock of hair, and that is the best way, and will begin 
to prognosticate. — Amp. Have you and your master there- 
fore, when you knew of it, taken any caution that he might 
not depart ? — Track. What could he do ? — Amp. If he loved 
her, do you ask what he could do? He should preserve 
her day and night! he should be always on guard ! But 
indeed he has done, as many others have done. So now 
Pleusidippushas taken care of her finely ! — Track. Why do 
you say that ? — Amp. The thing is plain — Track. But do 
you know this ? He who goes into the baths to wash, when 
he is carefully preserving his clothes, yet they are stolen away, 
because he who may notice any of them, is a rogue. A thief 
easily sees when he can watch ; the person guarding them 
knows not who may be the thief. But, lead me to her; 
where is she ? — Amp. Go now into the temple of Venus, and 
you will find her sitting there, and weeping. — Track. How 
unpleasant that is to me ! But why does she weep ? — Amp. 
I will tell you. She tortures herself in mind on account of 
this, that the Pimp took away her little box, that she had, 
and where she had tokens by which she could know her 
parents. She is afraid of that, lest it may have perished. — 
Track. Where was that little box ? — Amp. He himself en- 
closed it within a cloak-bag in the same place in the ship, 
that she might not have the power of that, by which she 
might know her parents. — Track. O, a scandalous deed ! 
to require a girl to be a slave, whom it must be just 
to be a free woman ! — Amp. Now it appears that it went 
to destruction, along with the ship, into the deep ; and all 
the Pimp's gold and silver was in the same place. I do be- 
lieve that some one sunk it, and then got it. The miserable 
girl is grieved at that circumstance, that a deprivation of 
those matters has happened to her. — Track. Now, there is 
more use in that proceeding, that I may go in-doors, and 
console her, that she may not so afflict herself in mind. For 



232 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

I know that many good things have happened to many 
people beyond their hope. — Amp. But I know also, that 
hope has deceived many, who may have hoped, and expected. 
Track. I am going in-doors, unless you wish to say any 
thing. — Amp. You may go ! [Exit Trachalio into (he tem- 
ple.'] I will do that which the priestess commanded me, and 
will ask for water hence from the nearest house. For she 
said, if I would ask it in her words, that they would give it 
immediately ; and I think that I have not seen any old 
woman more worthy. [Five lines omitted.] Now, that I may 
not be a delay to her, I will ask for water from this place, 
whence she ordered me to get it. [She knocks loudly and fre- 
quently at DiEMONEs's door.] Hillo! Who's in the villa? 
[The door opens.] Who opens this door ! Who is going forth? 
[She steps back a little way from the door.] 



SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter Sceparnio^t-ow Daemon es's house. 

Seep. Who is it that attacks our doors so wantonly? — 
Amp. I am here ! — Seep. Ah ! ha ! What good thing is this 
we have got? Hah ! A woman, faith, with a clever appear- 
ance ! — Amp. Health to you, young man ! — Seep. And you, 
be you very well and happy, young woman ! — Amp. I come 

to you Seep. I will receive you with hospitality, if you 

come by and by, the same as if you were in want. But 
now however I have nothing; but must send you away 
empty. But what ! what do you say, my clever lively girl ? 
[He takes her by the hand.] — Amp. Aha ! You handle me too 
familiarly ! [She disengages herself.] — Seep. O, immortal gods ! 
this is the very effigy of Venus! [Six lines omitted.] — Amp. 
Now, my dear, with respect to what I have been sent, hither 
to get, either consent to me, or refuse me ! — Seep. What do 
you now want ? — Amp. [Holding up the pitcher.] My imple- 
ment here shews a wise man what I may want. This 
Priestess of Venus ordered me from hence, [points at the 
temple] to ask for water from you here. — Seep. [Holds up 
his hand, and looks grand.] But I am a stately man, unless 
you entreat me, you shall not carry a drop away ! We dug 
that well with great danger to ourselves, and with our iron 



RUDENS. 233 

tools. And unless with much coaxing, one drop cannot be 
borne away from me. — Amp. Why, do you think water, my 
dear, of such importance, which even an enemy affords to 
an enemy ? — Seep. Now, why do you think your favour 
shewn to me of such importance, which a citizen affords to 
a citizen ? — Amp. Truly now, I will do all things for you, 
my delight, that you shall wish. — Seep. Well done ! I am 
safe and snug! She now calls me her delight ! Water shall 
be given you, that you may not love me in vain. Give me 
the pitcher ! — Amp. Take it ! [She reaches it to him.~\ Hasten, 
my dear, to bring it out. — Seep. Wait then ! I will be here 
just now, my delight! [Exit Sceparnio with the pitcher into 
the house.] — Amp. [Sola.] What shall I say to the Priestess, 
as to my having delayed here so long ? [Looks towards the 
side scene.] How I wretched shudder even now, when I look 
at the sea ! [She starts.] But what do I unhappy see, afar 
off on the shore? my master the Pimp, and his Sicilian 
guest, whom I miserable thought to have perished in the 
sea ! Now, more misfortune as to that exists to us, than we 
had supposed. But why do I delay to fly into the temple, 
and tell these things to Palaestra? that we may fly together 
to the altar, before tfee wicked Pimp can come hither, and 
seize us here. I will escape hence now, for so the circum- 
stance suddenly gives me the intention. [Ampelisca runs 
across, and exit into the temple.] 



SCENA QUINTA. 

Enter Sceparnio from D^mones's house, with a full 
pitcher of water. 

Seep. O ye immortal gods ! I never believed that there 
was so much delight in water. How pleasant I drew out 
this! The well seemed much less deep than before. How 
easily I drew out this ! I must say I am bad enough ; for 
instance, I, who this day can have begun to love. Here's the 
water for you, my nice girl! [Turns slowly about, looking 
at the pitcher.] Well now ! I wish you to carry it thus pro- 
perly as I carry it, that you may please me. [He looks about 
and starts.] But where art thou, my delicate creature? Take 
this water now ! Where are you ? [He stares about.] Faith, 



234 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

she loves me, as I think. The roguish girl has hid herself! 
[Aloud.] Where are you ? Are you not even to take this 
pitcher ? Where are you ? It is better for you to act a little 
conveniently. At length now it is truly serious. Still I 
say, are you to take this pitcher? Where in the world are 
you? [Fie peeps about the side scene.] Truly and verily I see 
her nowhere. She is making game of me. Faith, I will 
put down this pitcher now in the middle of the street ! But 
oh, what if any one shall have carried off hence this sacred 
urn of Venus ! and may shew forth some business for me ! 
I fear truly lest that woman may lay snares for me, that I 
may be caught with the sacred urn of Venus ; and so, with 
very good justice, the magistrate may torture me, bound in 
fetters, if any one shall have seen me holding this. [He ex- 
amines the pitcher. ,] Now, this is marked with letters. It tells 
of itself whose it is. Faith, I will now call out hence this 
Priestess out of doors, that she may receive this urn from 
me. I will approach hither to the doors. [He goes over to 
the door of the temple, and calls out.] Hillo ! Ptolemocratia ! 
Take this urn to you ! Some woman, I know not who, 
brought this hither to me ! [A pause.] It must be carried in- 
doors, I find. I have got new business now, if indeed even 
water must be carried by me, of my own accord, for these 
people. [Sceparnio exit into the temple, with the pitcher of 
water in his hand.] 



SCENA SEXTA. 

Enter Labr ax from the side scene, dripping wet. 

Labr. Whatever man shall wish himself wretched, and a 
beggar, let him trust himself and his life to Neptune ! For 
if any one has contracted any affair with him, according to 
this example he loses his rich home. [He looks back.] But, 
where is that guest of mine, who has destroyed me? [Enter 
Charm ides, the Pimp, at the side scene, following Labr ax, 
and in the same drenched condition.] And behold him! he is 
marching here ! — Char. Where, a curse, are you hurrying, 
Labrax? for truly I am not able to follow you so eagerly. — 
Labr. I wish you were sunk to perdition into Sicily in evil 
torments, before I could have seen you with my eyes; on 



JIUDENS. 235 

account of whom this calamity has happened to wretched 
me ! — Char. I wish that I could rather have lain down in 
prison on that day, when you brought me to you into your 
house ! — Lahr. You brought yourself, as bad luck, into my 
house, and why did I listen to you so wicked a fellow? and 
why had I a departure hence? and why an embarkation on 
board ship? where I lost even more property than was mine. 
— Char. Faith, I wonder not if your ship is wrecked, which 
carried you, a great rogue, and your goods roguishly got. — 
Labr. You destroyed me with your wheedlings! — Char. I 
supped on your supper, a more wicked one, than that which 
was formerly set before Thyestesand Tereus ! — Labr. I have 
perished. There is heavy affliction to my mind. Hold my 
head, I pray you ! — Char. 1 would very much wish, faith-, that 
you may vomit your lungs up ! — Labr. Alas, Palaestra and 
Ampelisca, where are ye now? [Wrings his hands.] — Char. 
I believe they are giving food to the fishes of the deep. 
[Six lines omitted.] — Labr. Alas ! what mortal lives more 
wretched than me ? — Char. I am so much the more wretched 
than you, Labrax ! — Labr. How are you now ? — Char. Be- 
cause I am not worthy of it ; but you are worthy to be so. 
[Ten lines omitted.] — Labr. I wish that I could now use the 
quality of a duck, that when I should have come out of the 
water, I might yet be dry ! — Char. [Looking at his own figure.] 
What if I may place myself as a hobgoblin at the shows ! 
— Labr. Wherefore ? — Char. Because, faith, I chatter also 
loudly with my teeth. [Eight lines omitted.] — Labr. What 
whale has devoured my cloak-bag, where all my gold and 
silver was packed up ? — Char. That same, I believe, that took 
my purse, which was full of silver in my wallet.— Labr. 
Alas ! I am reduced even to this short waistcoat, and to this 
wretched little cloak ! 1 have perished at once ! — Char. It 
is the case with you at any rate to be a sharer with me. 
We have equal lots. — Labr. If those women might be safe 
to me at least, there might be some hopes. Now, if the 
youth Pleusidippus shall have seen me, from whom I had 
received an earnest for Palaestra, he will shew ine now some 
matter of business here. [He begins to sob and grieve aloud.] 
— Char. Why do you lament, you fool? As long as your 
tongue shall live, verily and truly you have a power therewith 
which you can satisfy to all men any transaction of yours. 



236 m. a ecu plaiti 

SCENA SEPTIMA. 

Enter Sceparnio /row the temple. 

Seep. [In front of the others talking to himself] What is that 
business, pray, that two young women in the temple of 
Venus here hold the statue, embracing it, and dissolved in 
tears? Sadly miserable, tearing I know not whom ? They 
say, that in this last nio-ht truly, thev were tossed about, 
and to-day cast out of the sea. — Labr. [Coming up to 
Sceparnio.] I beseech you in truth, young man, tell me 
where those women are, that you are mentioning. — Seep. 
[Pointing.] Here in the temple of Venus ! — Labr. How many 
are there I — Seep. As many as you and I are. — Labr. That 
is, they are mine. — Seep. That is, I know not that. — Labr. 
With what appearance are they 1 — Seep. Pretty handsome. 
1 can love either of them, if 1 were finely fuddled ! — Labr. 
That is to say, the girls 1—Sdep. That is to say, you are a 
troublesome chap! Go, an'd see them, if it pleases you. — 
Labr. It must be, that my women are here within, my Char- 
mides.— Char. May Jupiter destroy yon, both if they are 
there, and yet if they are not there ! — Labr. I will now break 
in hither into the temple of Venus. — Char. I can wish rather 
it were into a gulf! [Labrax bursts open the door of the tem- 
ple, and exit clapping the door after him with violence.] — Char. 
[To Sceparnio.] I beseech you, my host, give me some 
place, where I may go to sleep. — Seep. Go to sleep there 
where you will; nobody hinders you. It is a public thing. 
— Char. But do you see me, how I be clothed with w T et gar- 
ments? Receive me into a covered place, and give me some 
dry clothing, while my clothes grow dry, in doing which 
I will render thanks to you. [Seven lines omitted.]— Seep. I 
do not choose to receive a barbarous guest into my house. 
There's enough of strife now. [Exit Sceparnio into Dm- 
mones's house.] — Char. [Calling after him.] Are you off' 
now ? [A pause.] He certainly brought those women there to 
be sold, whoever he is. He is not a humane man. But why 
do I stand here wretched, and wet ? Why do I not go hence 
into the temple of Venus, that I may sleep off' this surfeit of 
drink, which I drank up beyond what pleased the fancy of 
iny inclination. [Four lines omitted,] I will now go to see 



RUDENS. 237 



the Pimp, what hejs doing within, my messmate, and pot- 
companion. [Exit Charmides into the temple, shaking his wet 
clothes.] 



ACTUS TERTIUS. 
SCENA PRIMA. 



Enter Djemones from his house. 

Dam. In wonderful ways the gods make sport of men, 
and in surprising instances in dreams in their sleep. They 
do not in fact suffer us to lie at rest when sleeping. In this 
way I, in this last night preceding, dreamed a wonderful and 
strange dream. An ape seemed to endeavour to climb up to 
a nest of swallows ; nor was he able to drag them out from 
thence. Afterward, the ape seemed to advance to me, and 
to ask me that I would give him ladders, to be used by him. 
I at this instance answer the ape, that swallows were sprung 
from Philomela, and from Progne. I negotiate with her, 
that she may not hurt my neighbours. But she begins to 
grow fiercer in inclination, and seems of her own accord to 
threaten mischief against me. She calls me into a court of 
justice. There, I know not how, I, in great anger, seem to 
seize the ape by the middle, and fasten up within chains the 
very mischievous beast. Now, to what affair I may say that 
this dream appertains, I have never been able this day to 
come to any conjecture. [A loud noise is heard within the 
temple.'] But what clamour arises here in the temple of 
Venus ? My mind is in a wonder ! 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Trach alio, rushing from the temple, clapping his hands, 
and crying out. 

Trach. O ye neighbours of Cyrene ! I implore your good- 
ness, ye husbandmen and inhabitants, ye who are close by 
these regions, bring assistance to distress, and destroy the 
worst example of wickedness ! Now punish him, and let not 
2 i 



238 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

the power of wicked men be greater than that of the innocent, 
who are unwilling to become distinguished by bad deeds. 
Institute an example to a shameless man, and give a reward 
to modesty ! Run ye hither into the temple of Venus ! Again 
I implore your goodness. Ye who are present here near at 
hand, and who hear my cry, bring assistance to those who 
have committed their life to Venus, and Venus's priestess, 
after the ancient manner. Twist ye the neck of iniquity, be- 
fore it may come to yourselves ! [He runs to and fro all this 
time in great agitation.'] — Deem. What is all that business? — 
Track. [Suppliant, and embracing the old man's knees.] I sup- 
plicate you my old gentleman, whosoever you are, by these 

knees Deem. But, do let go my knees, and explain in a 

word, what it may be that you can make a tumult about ! — 
Trach. I both pray and beseech you, if you hope that there 
will be to you this year a great crop of perfume plants, and 
gum-trees, and that you should have a freedom from your 
eye-diseases. — Dam. Are you in your senses ? [Eight lines 
omitted,] — Trach. I beseech you therefore prevent this mat- 
ter ! — Deem. What business is it? — Trach. Two innocent 
women are here within, in want of your, assistance, on whom, 
against all right and laws, an assault has been made notori- 
ously here, and is made in the temple of Venus ; and also be- 
sides the Priestess of Venus is unworthily ill used ! — Deem. 
What man is there of so great boldness, that may dare to injure 
the Priestess? But who are those women? and why are the 
men so injurious to them ? — Trach. If you attend to me, I will 
tell you. The women embraced the statue of Venus; and 
now a man wants to carry them off. It is proper that both 

of them be Deem. [Interrupting.] Who is that man, that 

holds in contempt the gods? — Trach. A fellow of fraud and 
wickedness, full of parricide and perjury, a lawbreaker, 
shameless, impure, and most immodest. In one word I will 
solve it, he is a Pimp. Why may I speak of him more ? he 
is the man who may have squeezed the throat of the Priestess. 
— Deem. But he has done it faith with his own great detri- 
ment! [DiEMONES calls aloud at the door of his house.] Go out 
of doors thence, ye domestics, Turbalio, and Sparax ! Where 
are ye ? — Trach. Go in there, I pray you, [points to the temple] 
and help those women I — Deem. [At his door.] I will not com- 
mand again! [Enter Turbalio and Sparax.] Follow me 






RUDENS. '289 

this way S [He leads them across to the door of the temple.]— 
Trach. Go on this moment, and order them to dash out the 
fellow's eyes, in the same way as cooks do to cuttle-fish. — 
Deem, [To the servants.] Drag ye forth the man by the feet 
hither, just as a killed pig. [Exit D^mones into the temple, 
with his two assistants at his heels.] — Trach. [Solus, and listening 
awhile.] I hear a tumult ! I think the Pimp is borne down 
with their fists. I can wish they may have knocked out the 
teeth from the jaws of that dreadfully wicked man ! [The door 
of the temple is opened.] But behold the women themselves 
are going out from the temple in consternation ! [He goes 
back some distance.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter, from the temple, Palaestra and Ampelisca, in a 
fright, rushing in, with their hair dishevelled, clapping their 
hands. 

Pal. That time now is present, when a deprivation of all 
happiness and powers, of aid and protection, is upon us, nor 
is there any prospect that can give us safety, neither do we 
know where we are going on to obtain an entrance, and we 
are both of us wretched now, and in the greatest terror. 
Very great the importunity, and very great the assault that 
has been made upon us just now, here within by the master 
of us, who so wicked drove headlong the old woman, the 
Priestess, and struck her in a very unworthy manner, and 
dragged us away by his own strength from the interior statue. 
But now, as our affairs and fortunes dispose themselves, it 
is proper to die. Nor is there any thing better than death, 
in affairs so calamitous and miserable. — Trach. [Behind.] 
What is that speech? Do I delay to console these women? 
[He calls out.] Harkye, Palaestra ! — Pal. [Turning her head.] 
Who calls me? — Trach. Harkye now, Ampelisca ! — Amp. I 
beseech you, who is it that calls me ? — Pal. Who is it, that 
names me now ? — Trach. You will know, when you shall have 
looked back \—Pal. [Turning round, and surveying him.] O, 
the hope of my safety! — Trach. [Going up to her.] Be silent, 
and be of good courage ! [Holds up his head in a conceited 
manner.] See me here ! — Pal. If only it be possible, that 
violence may not oppress us ; which violence compels me, 



240 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

that I myself may commit violence on myself. — Track, Oh, 
leave off! You are too silly. — Amp. Leave off consoling 
wretched me at this time with your words ! — Pal. Unless 
you have some protection ready in reality, Trachalio, this 
affair is all over. I am determined to die, rather than to suffer 
the Pimp to assault me. But, however, I have but a womanish 
courage. When to wretched me it comes into my mind of 
death, in truth terror seizes my limbs. — Track. Though this 
that happens is a bitter thing, have a good courage both of 
ye ! — Pal. From whence, now I beg, is any courage found to 
me? — Track. I say, fear ye not ! Sit down here at the altar. 
[He points to it.] — Amp. What can that altar profit us more, 
than the statue here within in the temple of Venus, which 
we just now embraced, and from whence we wretched wo- 
men were dragged by force. — Track. Only sit you down here ! 
I will hence defend you still. Possess ye this altar for your 
camp. I will hence defend the walls of it; and, under the 
guard of Venus, I will go against the malice of the Pimp. — 
Amp. We listen to you. [They go to the altar, and sink on their 
knees.] O, kind Venus, we both entreat you, embracing this 
your altar, weeping and resting on our knees, that you may re- 
ceive us into your guardianship, and defend us ! that you may 
punish those wicked men, who held in contemptyour temple, 
and that you may suffer us to beset your altar under your 
peace, us who were both drenched by the power of Neptune 
in the night ! [Five lines omitted.] — Track. But behold the old 
gentleman, who is Patron both to me and you, in excellent 
time is going out of doors here. [Tke two women, and Tra- 
chalio, stand close to the altar.] 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter D^mones, with his two servants from the temple, 
dragging Labrax. 

Deem. [Pushing Labrax off from him.] Get out of the 
temple, thou most sacrilegious of all men, as many as ever 
were born ! Ye women, go to sit down at the altar ! [He 
turns about, looking for them.] But, where are they? — Track. 
[From the altar.] Look back hither \—D<em. [Seeing them.] 
Vastly well. — Serv. We had wished that. Do order now 
that the man may approach near. [Labrax comes forward.] 



RUDENS. 241 

— Deem, [To him.'] Do you aim now before us here to make 
a breakage of the laws of the gods? [Labrax shakes hisjfist 
at him, and stamps in a fury.'] Drive your fist, one of you, into 
his face! — Labr. I suffer these unjust things with great cost 
to you! [Threatens him.] — Dam. But does the audacious 
fellow threaten me? — Labr. My right is snatched away 
from me, and you carry off my servant-maids, I bein^ un- 
willing ! — Trach. Therefore appoint some rich men of the 
senate of Cyrene as judges, if it behoves them to be yours, 
or whether they should not be free, and whether it is not 
right that you be clapped into prison, and that you dwell 
there always during an age, until you shall have worn away 
the whole jail with your feet. — Labr. [To Trachalio.] I 
have not prophesied to that effect, that I may converse with 
a hangman! [He turns to D;emones.] I call upon you! 
— Dam. Dispute first with him that hath known you. — 
Labr. I have to do with you. — Trach. But you must trans- 
act matters with me. Are those servant-maids yours? — 
Labr. They are. — Trach. Come on therefore ! Touch either 
of them with your little finger only ! — Labr. What if I shall 
have touched her ? — Trach. Instantly I will make you a 
prize-fighting pair of bellows; and, while you are drawing 
breath, will belabour you with my fists, O thou most per- 
jured fellow \—Labr. [To Daemon es.] May it not be lawful 
for me to carry off my maids from the altar of Venus? 
— Dam. It is not lawful; so is the law with us. — Labr. 
I have no business with your laws. Certainly I will carry 
away both those women out of doors ! Thou, old man, if you 
love those women, there is need of dry money to be given 
hither. [Slapping his breeches pocket.] — Dam. But these 
women have pleased Venus. — Labr. Let her have them, if 
she will give the money. — Dam. Am I to give you money? 
Now, therefore, that you may know my opinion, begin only, 
and just in joke a little, to apply violence to them, and I will 
send you away hence so dressed, that you yourself shall not 
have known yourself. [To the servants.] Ye, therefore, when 
I shall have nodded to you, if you shall not have scooped his 
eyes out of his head, I will bind you about with twigs, just as 
myrtle-trees are bound round with bulrushes. — Labr. You 
act by force with me. — Trach. Do you upbraid us with force, 
thou flagrance of flagrant deeds? — Labr, JDo you, you arrant 



242 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

rogue, dare to speak abusively to me? — Track. I confess, I 
am a great rogue, and you are a man forsooth very just! 
How is it fitting that these women should be the less free? 
— Labr. What, free did you say ?— Track. And your mis- 
tresses verily and truly, and from genuine Greece, for this 
one of them w r as born at Athens, of noble parents ! — Dam. 
[Starting in surprise.] What do I hear from you?— Track. 
That this girl [pointing to Pal.t.stra] was born free at 
Athens! — Dam. I beseech you, is she of my country? — 
Track. Are not you of Cyrene? — Dam. Verily at Athens 
born, and bred up, and educated among the citizens of At- 
tica! — Track. I implore you, my old gentleman, defend your 
citizens! — Dam. [Hanging his head, and putting kis kand on kis 
breast.] O, my daughter ! though absent, when I see this 
girl, you remind me of my miseries, for she was lost to me 
when three years old. I know, if she lives, she w r ould now 
be just so tall. — Labr. I gave money for them both, to the 
master whose property they were. What signifies to me, 
whether they were born at Athens, or at Thebes, while they 
may serve their servitude to me properly. — Track. Do you 
act thus you shameless man ; will you keep here these virgin 
kittens, kidnapped from free parents, and destroy them in an 
unworthy occupation ? Now, to this other [pointing to Ampe- 
lisca] I know not what may be the native country, but I 
know that she is better than you, thou most vile scoundrel! 
— Labr. Are they yours? — Track. Contend with me there- 
fore, and try which of us is sounder in the back. [Six lines 
omitted.'] Why do you look at those women? whom if you 
shall have touched, [lifting kis hand] I will drag out your 
eyes ! — Labr. But, because you forbid it now, I will carry 
away each of them, this instant with me at the same time! — 
Dam. What will you do? — Labr. I will bring here Vulcan, 
and he is the enemy of Venus. [He goes towards Djemones's 
house.] — Darn. Where is that fellow going? [Labrax knocks 
er£ D.imones's door.] — Labr. Hillo ! who's here? Hillo ! 
— Dam. If you shall have touched that door any more, now 
faith a harvest shall be made on your face, with fruit- 
branches of the fist ! — Serv. We have no fire there, we sub- 
sist on dry figs. — Dam. I will give you fire, if I have an op- 
portunity of blowing it up on your head ! — Labr. I will cer- 
tainly go somewhere to inquire for fire ! — Dam. What will 



RUDENS. 243 

you do, when you shall have found it ? — Labr. I will make a 
great conflagratiorThere ! — Dam. Do you mean that you may 
burn any thing human? — Labr. Yes ; that I may burn both 
these women alive here in the altar! — Dam. 1 wish that; 
for, by Hercules, I will immediately grapple you by the 
beard, and will throw you into the fire, and cast you out 
half-burnt, as food for the great birds of the air. [ Aside.] I 
make a conjecture with myself, this is that ape, that wishes 
to drag these swallows i'rom the nest in spite of me, which I 
dreamed in my sleep.— Track. [To Demones.] Do you 
know what ? I speak to you, old gentleman, to preserve those 
women, and defend them against violence, while I bring here 
my master.: — Deem. Seek your master, and bring him here ! 

— Track. But let not this fellow Dam. It shall be with 

his greatest ruin, if he shall have touched them, or shall 
have attempted it. — Track, Attend to this ! — Dam. It is at- 
tended to; begone! — Track, Keep this fellow even himself 
here, lest he may escape away any where ; for we promised 
to the jailer, either a great talent, or to clap up this fellow in 
prison this day. [Exit Trachalio in haste at the back scene.] 

SCENA QUINTA. 

Manent Djemones, his tzvo servants, Labrax, Palestra, 
and Ampelisca. 

Dam. Whether do you, Mister Pimp, choose to be quiet 
with punishment more willingly, or thus without suffering, if 
you have the power? — Labr. [Snapping his fingers.] I don't 
care a straw, old man, as to what you say ; I will in truth 
drag away my women now from the altar, you being unwill- 
ing, and Venus, and highest Jupiter! — Dam. Touch 'em 
then! — Labr. I will touch 'em truly, by Hercules! — Dam. 
[Going to the altar.] Come on therefore! approach hither 
only. — Labr. Order only both those men to retire there. — 
Dam. But they shall approach to you! — Labr. I myself 
don't approve of that in truth. — Dam. What will you do, if 
they shall approach nearer ?— Labr. I shall have retreated. 
But, old chap, if ever I shall have found you in. the city, 
never shall any one by Hercules have called me Pimp, if I 
shall not have sent you away after the worst sport. — Deem. 
Do that which you threaten; but now, in the mean time, if 



244 M. A CCII PLALTI 

you shall have touched those women, a great punishment 
shall be given you ! — Labr. How great truly ? — Deem. As 
much as is enough for a Pimp. — Labr. I don't care a straw 
for your threats. Odds-bobs, whether you will or not, I will 
now snatch away those women. — Deem. Touch them ! — 
Labr. I will touch 'em truly and verily. — Deem. Touch 'em; 
but do you know how you will be handled ? [Turns to one of 
the servants.] Go now, Tarbalio, and in a twinkling bring 
here two bludgeons! — Labr. Bludgeons? — Deem. Good 
one's at any rate. Hasten quickly! [Exit Turbalio into 
the house.] I will make you this day be properly treated as 
you are worthy. — Labr. Alas ! I lost my helmet so unfortu- 
nate in the ship! Now it would be very opportune here for 
me, if it were saved. [To Djemones.] It is lawful for me at 
least to address those women. — Deem. It is not lawful. 
[Enter Turbalio with two great clubs.] Ah! ha! Excellent 
faith! behold him; now the club-bearer arrives! — Labr. 
[Staring at the clubs.] That is indeed and truly a tingling in 
the ears. — Deem. [To a servant.] Here, Sparax, take that 
other club! [He takes it.] Now one of you stand over there ! 
[Pointing.] The other on this side ! Both of you stand ready ! 
[Theu stand with uplifted clubs on each side of the altar.] That 
will do. Now hear ye ! If by Hercules that fellow shall have 
touched those women this day against their will with one 
finger, unless you shall have stroked him with those clubs 
continually, until he know not which way to get home, you 
are both of you undone. If he shall call any one, do ye an- 
swer to that man in the place of those women. But if he 
himself shall wish and try to go away hence, as much as he 
can, instantly whack round his legs with your sticks ! — 
Labr. Will they not suffer me even to depart hence? — 
Dam. I have said enough ; and when that servant shall have 
come hither with his master, that is, he who went to call his 
master, go ye immediately home ! Take care of these things, 
do you mind, with great diligence! [Exit D^mones into 
his house.~\ — Labr. Alack, and by Hercules, the temples 
there are indeed changed very speedily. For this now is the 
temple of Hercules, that was that of Venus; and so the old 
man fixed two statues here with clubs. I know not really 
where in the world I now may fly away from hence ; each, 
both heaven and earth, rage so much against me ! [He calls 



RUDENS, 245 

out.] Palsestra!— -Serv. [Answering for her.] What do you 
want? — Labr, Get out! there is a difference here. This 
faith is not my Palaestra that answers! [Aloud.] Harkye, 
Ampelisca! — Serv. [Lifting his club.] Beware of a misfortune 
to you! — Labr. As it happens, these idle fellows advise me 
rightly enough. But I say to you — [He calls to the ser- 
vants.] Harkye, you ! Whether is it annoying to you that I 
should go up to these women closer? — Serv. Not to us in- 
deed. — Labr. Whether will it be annoying to me at all? — 
Serv. No, if you shall have been careful. — Labr. What is it, 
that I may guard from? — Serv. Why, from a solid mishap.-r- 
Labr. I beg really that it may be lawful to depart. — Serv. 
Depart, if you may choose it. — Labr. Well done, by Her- 
cules ! I am grateful to you ! [He turns about, and is going 
away.] — Serv. You must not! rather than that, let me come 
to you! [He goes after Labrax, and drags him back to his 
former place, with a club over his head.] Do you stand there 
instantly! — Labr. By jingo, I have come forth here cursedly 
bad in many ways ! but I am determined to subdue these 
women here to-day, by constantly besieging them. 

SCENA SEXTA. 

Enter from the back scene P leu sidippus, followed 
by Trachalio. 

Pleus. [On his entrance, turning to Trachalio.] Has that 
Pimp wished to drag away my mistress, by force and vio- 
lence, from the altar of Venus? — Trach. Very much so. — 
Pleus. But have you not slain him at once ? — Trach. There 
was no sword. — Pleus. You should take either a club, or a 
stone ! — Trach. Why should I pursue that most wicked man 
with stones, as if it were a dog? — Labr. [In front of them.] 
Now I have indeed perished ! behold him, Pleusidippus is 
here ! He will sweep me here entirely away with the dust. 
— Pleus. [To Trachalio.] Were the women still sitting at 
the altar, at. that time, when you set off to go to me ? — Trach. 
They are now sitting in the same place. — Pleus. Who now 
is defending them there ? — Trach- An old mart, I know not 
who, a neighbour of Venus. He paid the utmost attention, 
he now with his servants preserves the women. I had com- 
2 K 



246 M. ACCI1 PLAUTI 

mitted them to him. — Pleus. Lead me to the Pimp straight- 
way ! [Trachalio goes before him up the stage.] Where is 
that man ? — Labr. [Sneaking from the side up to Pleusi- 
dippus.] Health to you !— Pleus. 1 care not for salutation ! 
Choose quickly whether you have rather be grappled with 
a twisted neck, or be dragged quietly along ! Choose which, 
while it is allowed to you. — Labr. I want neither ! — Pltus. 
Go now, Trachalio, in a hurry to the sea-shore. Order 
those men whom I brought with me, to go into the city to 
meet me at the port, and who could give up this fellow to 
the jailer. Afterward return hither, and keep guard here ! 
I will drag this wicked outcast to justice. [Exit Tracha- 
lio at the side.] Come, Labrax, march to justice! — Labr. 
What crime have I committed? — Pleus. Do you ask? Why 
you received an earnest from me, on account of the woman, 
and you carried her off from hence. — Labr. I have not car- 
ried her away. — Pleus. Why do you deny it? — Labr. Be- 
cause faith I carried her forth, but unfortunate was not able 
to carry her away. In truth I had told you, that I would 
be near at hand at the temple of Venus. How do I alter 
it ? Am I not there ? — Pleus. In the court plead your cause. 
Here a word is enough. Follow me ! [He goes towards the 
back scene — The servants lay hold of Labrax, and drag him 
along after Pleusidippus. Enter on the opposite side front 
them Charmides.] — Labr. I entreat you, my Charmides, 
assist me ! I am dragged with my neck twisted ! — Char. 
[Stopping and looking across.] Who names me ? — Labr. Do 
you see me, how I am dragged now ? — Char. I see, and look 
at you in great satisfaction. — Labr. Do you not venture to 
help me? — Char. What man carries you away ? — Labr. The 
youth Pleusidippus. — Char. As you have got hold of the 
matter, bear it with courage ! It is a very good thing, that 
you should crawl into the pillory. That has happened to 
you, which very many w 7 ish to themselves. — Labr. How is 
that? — Char. That what they may seek after, they may find 
it for themselves. — Labr. I beseech you, follow me now ! — 
Char. You are persuading me, to be in like way as you are 
yourself. You are dragged to the pillory. You implore me 
to follow you there. Are you still holding back from it? — 
Labr. I have perished outright ! — Pleus. I wish it were true! 
[He goes towards the women.] Do you, my Palaestra and Am- 



RUDENS. 247 

pelisca, remain now in the same place, until I return hither! 
— Serv. I in truth persuade you, that they may depart to 
our house rather, until you take them back. — Pleus. It 
pleases me. You do well. [The servants opeti the door of 
D^mones's house, and conduct Palestra and Ampelisca 
into it, and shut the door, and return to their places. ~\ — Labr. 
Ye are thieves to me ! — Serv. What ! are we thieves ! — Pleus. 
Drag him away now ! [The Servants lay hold of Labrax 
again, and drag him towards the back scene."] — Labr. [Roaring 
out.~\ I beg ! I implore you ! Palaestra, O ! — Pleus. Follow 
me, you hangman you! — Labr. [To Charmides.] O my 
guest ! — Char. I am not your guest ! I reject your enter- 
tainment.— Labr. Do you thus spurn me now ? — Char. So I 
act, and I drink but once only. — Labr. May the gods curse 
you ! — Char. Say it to that head of your ov/n ! [Pleusi- 
dippus and the Servants exeunt at the back scene, and exit 
Labrax dragged away by them.'] — Char. [Solus.] I do be- 
lieve that mankind is transformed various each into a dif- 
ferent beast. This Pimp, I believe, is turned into a cock- 
pigeon, for his neck will be soon in a pigeon-hole. He will 
build his nest to-day upon the pillory. But nevertheless I 
will go, that I may be his advocate, if any way by my at- 
tention the thing can be settled the sooner. [Exit Char- 
mides at the back scene.] 



ACTUS QUARTUS. 

SCENA PRIMA. 

Enter Dmmones from his house. 

Dam. It is well done, and a pleasure to me, that I have 
this day borne assistance to these young women. I have 
now found female guests, and both of them with a comely 
appearance, and youthful. But my mischievous wife watches 
me in every way, lest I should in any manner hint any thing 
to the girls. [He pauses.] But now I wonder what my servant 
Gripus can be about, who went by night to the sea to fish \ 
Verily he would have been wiser, if he would have gone to 



248 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

sleep at home. For now he makes a mockery both as to his 
labour, and his nets, as the tempest now is, and was in the 
night. To-day I will roast upon my fingers, what he may 
have taken, as I see the sea so violently moving with billows. 
[A bell rings, and the door of his house is opened.] But my wife 
calls me to dinner! I return home, and now she will fill my 
ears with her vain and silly talking. [Exit Daemon es into 
his house.] 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Grivvsj rom the side scene, dragging after him by a cable 
rope a net, in which is a large cloak-bag, that is well filled and 
weighty. 

Grip. I give thanks to my patron Neptune, that inhabits 
the salt places stored with fishes, since he sent me off from 
his temples returning home, handsomely set off, and loaded 
with a very great prize, at the same time with safety to the 
little boat, which, in the stormy sea, put me in possession of 
a new and rich sort of fish-catching. Now, in a wonderful 
and incredible manner, this cast has turned out to me so 
finely! Nor have I taken to-day one ounce-weight offish, 
unless this that I carry here in my net ! Be it known, as I 
rose at dark night, and actively eager, I preferred profit to 
sleep and rest. In the raging tempest I wished to prove the 
wrong opinion of my master, and, that I might support my 
own opinion, was not sparing of my trouble. A man is very 
much of a nothing who is lazy, and I hate that race very de- 
testably. In truth I now have been industrious, and have 
found that I may be lazy, if I can wish it. [Points at the cloak- 
bag.] I have found this in the sea, whatever is in it; whatever 
is in it, is heavy indeed. I do suppose that gold is in it here; 
nor is any one conscious of the matter. Now an opportunity 
has happened to you, Gripus, that the Praetor of the p?ople 
may free you. Now I will act in this way, and this is my 
intention ; to come to my master knowingly and cunningly. 
By little and little I will promise money for my person, that 
I may be free. Now when I shall be free, at length on that 
score I will prepare a plantation, a house, and slaves. I 
will set up merchandise with great ships. I shall be reported 



RUDENS. 249 

to be a king among great men. Afterward, for the sake of 
amusement, I will ^make a navy for myself, and imitate a 
commander of an army. I will be carried about the towns. 
Where my nobility will be renowned, I will fortify a great 
town, and will give my name to that city, Gripus, as a mo- 
nument to my fame and deeds ; and there I will constitute a 
great kingdom. I am thinking within my niind to prepare 
great things even here. [He takes the cloak- bag from the net, 
and puts it under his arm.'] Now I will hide this cloak-bag. 
But this great man, as I certainly am, is about to dine to- 
day on vinegar and salt, without any good substantial food. 
[He begins to gather up the net, and then drags it towards the back 
scene.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter Trachalio from the back scene. 

Track, Harkye, stop ! — Grip. [Staring at him.] Why may 
I stop? — Track. While I wind up this cable for you, which 
you are dragging. — Grip. [In a surly tone.] Let it alone now! 
— Track. But truly I will assist you. For what is done 
kindly to good men, does not perish. — Grip. There was a 
stormy tempest yesterday, and I have no fish, young man. 
Then require not to assist me. Do you not see that I bring 
back a wet net without any scaly cattle? — Track. I do not 
faith want fishes so much, as I am in want of your conver- 
sation. — Grip. You torture me now with your spite, whoever 
you are! — Track. I will not suffer you to depart hence! 
Wait now ! [Stands in his way, Gripus trying to go off] — 
Grip. Have a care of something bad to you! [He tries again 
to go, and Trachalio draws him back.] A curse, why do you 
draw me back? — Track. Hear me now ! — Grip. I do not hear 
you. — Track. But faith you shall hear me! — Grip. Why say 
it at another time what you wish. — Track. Come now, it is 
worth your while at once to hear what I have to tell you ! — 
Grip. Speak it out, what is it? — Track. [Looking back.] See if 
any one follows near us ! — Grip. What is there, that may now 
signify to me? — Trach. Yes, but is there any good disposi- 
tion in you towards me? — Grip. What business is it, only 
say ? — Track. I will say it ; but be silent, if you will give 



250 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

me your faith only that you will not be faithless. — Grip. I 
do give you my faith. I will be faithful to you, whoever 
you are. — Track. Hear then ! I saw a man who made a theft. 
I had known the owner to whom that happened. After- 
ward I myself come to the thief, and bring him a condition 
in this way : I know the man on whom the theft was com- 
mitted ; now if you are willing to give me half, I will not 
discover to the owner. He answered me not. Now what 
is it right should be given to me ? I want that you may say, 
half. — Grip. Yes verily, even more; for unless he gives it, I 
am of opinion, it must be mentioned to the owner.— Track. 
I will act with your advice. Now attend to me ! For all this 
appertains to you. — Grip. What has been done? — Track. 
With regard to that cloak-bag, I have known the man for 
some time, whose property it is. — Grip. What is it? — 
Track. And in what way it was lost. — Grip. But I know in 
what way it was found, and I know the man who found it ; 
and I know who the owner of it is now. \_He hugs his trea- 
sure with both anns.~\ This is no more in truth signifying to 
you, than what that story of yours signifies to me. I have 
known that man whose property it is now ; you, him whose 
property it was before. No man shall carry this away from 
rne. You may not hope for it at all ! — Track. If the owner 
may come, may he not get it? — Grip. No man is owner to 
this, so don't be disappointed, unless I myself; no one born 
is there, unless I who took it in my hunting expedition. — 
Track. Is it so in truth ? — Grip. Will you not say, that any 
fish in the sea is mine? Those, which I take, as I have taken 
them, are mine. I have them for my own ; nor are they 
fought for, nor does any one require a part from thence. I 
sell them openly in the Forum as my own saleables. The 
sea indeed is without doubt common to all men. — Track. I 
agree, and how is it less proper, I beg, that the cloak-bag be 
common to me ? It was found in the sea, and is a thing 
common. — Grip. By jingo you are shamelessly impudent ! 
for if that be the right of things, as you relate, the fisher- 
men will have perished; for when the fishes shall have been 
immediately brought into the market, no one may buy them, 
and every one may require his own share of the fishes for 
himself. He may say that they were taken in the common sea. 
: — Track. What do you say, you impudent fellow ? have you 



RUDENS. 251 

dared to compare a cloak-bag with fishes ? [Ten lines omitted 
as tedious.'] — Grip.^Why you, have you never heard before, 
that a cloak-bag is a fish ? — Track. You villain, it is none. 
— Grip. Yes, it is in fact, I, who am a fisherman, know it. 
But it is rarely taken. No fish comes so seldom to land. — 
Track. You do nothing. You hope that you can cheat me, 
you rogue! Of what colour is it? — Grip. [Looking at tke 
cloak-bag under Ins cloak.] Very few are taken of this colour. 
There are others of a purple skin, also some large and black. 
— Track. I understand. Faith I think you will turn your- 
self into a cloak-bag fish, unless you are careful ; for your 
skin shall become purple, and afterward again it shall be- 
come black. — Grip. What a villain this I have found to- 
day ! — Track. We are talking here, and the day is going 
away. See, by whose arbitration you would wish that we 
should act. — Grip. By the judgment of the cloak-bag ! — 
Trqch. Is it so truly? You are a fool. — Grip. [Making a 
bow and scrape.] Your servant, Mister Thales ! — Track. You 
shall not carry that away to-day, unless you give an umpire 
or arbitrator, by whose judgment this affair may be settled. 
— Grip. Are you in your senses, I ask ? — Track. [Shaking 
Ms fist at him.'] I am frantic! — Grip. And I am mad! I 
won't let go this however. [Hugs the cloak-bag.] — Track. Add 
one word more, and I will drive now some blows on your 
brain ! I will now here, just as a rough rubber is used to be 
laid on, scrub and scour out whatever humour is in you, 
unless you let go this cloak-bag ! — Grip. Touch me, and I 
will knock you flat to the earth, just as I am used to do a 
polypus fish! Do you want to fight? [Holds up his right 
fist in a boxing attitude, and holds his cloak-bag under his left 
arm.] — Track. What is there next? But do you now rather 
divide the spoil ! — Grip. You can forage nothing hence, but 
harm to yourself, so don't require it ! I am steering off from 
hence. — Track. But I will turn aside your ship, that you may 
not go away ! Stay there now ! [Stands in front to stop him.] 
— Grip. If you are the steersman to that ship, I will be the 
pilot. [He catches up the net, and tries to go, but Trachalio 
lays hold of the cable.] Let go the cable, you scoundrel ! — 
Track. I will let it go, but do you let go the cloak-bag !— 
Grip. Odds-bobs, you shall never to-day be more successful 
by one splinter from this ! — Track. You are not able to make 



252 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

good any thing to me by refusing, unless a part is given, or 
it is referred to an arbitrator, or put before an umpire. — 
Grip. What, that which I caught in the sea?— Trach. But 
I inspected it from the shore. — Grip. With my care, labour, 
net, and boat, it was obtained. — Track. If the owner, whose 
property it is, may come, how am I, who saw you get it 
standing afar off, less a thief than you are ? — Grip. No such 
th i no-. [Gathers up his net and is going.] — Trach. [Catching 
the net.] Wait, you rogue! By what argument am not I an 
associate and a thief/ Make ma know that from you ! — 
Grip. 1 don't know, nor do I know those city-laws of yours, 
unless that I say, that this is mine! [Looks at the cloak-bag] 
— Track. And I also say that it is none. — Grip. Stay now ! 
I have found an expedient, ov lich means vou may be 
neither a thief, nor an aasocate. — \<<.ch. By what means? — 
Grip. S offer me to depart hence! D. vou in silence s0 
your way! You 'shall neither have discovered me to any 
one, nor will I give you any thing at all ! Do you be silent! 
I will mutter! This is the best and most just thing. — Trach. 
What sort of condition do you dare to offer me? — Grip. I 
am already carrying it off. [Takes the net, and Trachalio 
the cable-rope.] Let go the cable, that you may get away, 
and not be troublesome to me ! — Trach. Wait, while I refer 
the condition to some one. — Grip. I beg of you truly, carry 
yourself off only! — Trach. Whom in these places have you 
known? — Grip. It behoves me to know my neighbours. — 
Trach. Where do you dwell here? — Grip. Why afar off 
there, all the way at the farthest fields. — Trach. Do you 
wish that it be at the arbitration of him who lives in this 
villa. [Points to Djemones's house.]— Grip. Let go the rope 
awhile, until I grant that, and think with myself about it! 
— Trach. Let it be so ! [He lets go the cable.]— Grip. [Aside.] 
Well done ! the matter is safe. This prize is perpetually 
mine ! He invites me here within my own precincts to my 
own master as judge. He will never truly adjudge this day 
three halfpence from his own servant. Faith that fellow 
does not know what proposal he may have brought here ! I 
will go to the arbitrator. [Goes towards the house.] — Trach. 
What is it therefore ? — Grip. Although I know for certain 
that that is my right, let that thing be done now, rather 
than I may fight with you. — Trach. Now you please me. — 



RUDENS. 253 

Grip. Though you drive me to an unknown arbiter, if he 
will apply real justice, though he is unknown, he is famous ; 
if he shall not give justice, though famous, he is a most 
ignoble man. 

SCENA QUARTA. 

Enter from the house D^mones, Paljestra, and Ampe- 
lisca, in front of the two competitors. 

Dam. [To the women.'] Seriously and truly, my girls, 
though I wish to you all things you desire, I fear on account 
of you, lest my wife should thrust me out of doors. She 
will say that I brought harlots before her eyes. You are to 
take refuge at the altar, rather than I. — Women. Ah! we 
wretched women are undone ! [They weep.] — Deem. I will 
place you safe, fear ye not ! But what plan are ye to follow 
out of doOrs ? When I am present, no one shall do injury to 
you. Go there, I say, as to your home, [points to the altar] 
now directly under the protection of your protectress ! [He 
leads them both to the altar.] — Grip. [Going up to Djemones.] 
O, Master, health to you ! — Dam. Hail ! Gripus ! what's the 
matter? — Track. [Coming up to D^mones.] Is this your 
servant? — Grip. [To Trachalio.] It does not shame you, 
I see. — Track. I have nothing to do with you ! — Grip. There- 
fore get you gone hence ! — Track. [To Djemones.] Answer 
me, old gentleman, I beg ! Is this your servant? — Dam. He 
is mine. — Track. Aha ! that is very good, when he belongs 
to you. Again I salute you, Sir! — Dam. And I you! Is it 
you who a short time before departed hence to call your 
master? — Track. I am he. — Deem. What now do you wish 
to yourself? — Track. I ask is this your servant? — Deem. 
He is mine. — Track. That is excellent when he is yours. — 
Deem. What business have you? — Track. [Points to Gripus.] 
That is a wicked man ! — Deem. What has that wicked man 
done to you ? — Track. I wish that that man's shins were 
broken. — Deem. What is it ? about what affair are you quar- 
relling between you? — Track. I will tell you. — Grip. But I 
will speak. — Track. I, as I think, am instituting the busi- 
ness.— Grip. If you be modest, you may begin it from this 
quarter l—^-Dcem. Gripus, attend to the matter now, and hold 
your peace ! — Grip. Is it, that he must speak before me ? 
2 L 



254 M. ACCIl PLAL'TI 

— Deem. Hear me! [To Trachalio.] Do you speak! — 
Grip. Will you give the power of speaking to a stranger, 
rather than to your own servant? — Track. How the fellow 
cannot be restrained ! So as I began to say, with regard to 
that Pimp, whom you thrust out awhile ago, [poirits to the 
cloak-bag that Grip us has under his arm.] See here his 
cloak-bag! Behold it ! — Grip. I have'nt it \—Trach. Do you 
deny what I see with my eyes ? — Grip. But you may not see 
it, as I may desire. I have it, and I haven't it! Why do 
you care about me, what business I may be about? — Trach. 
In what way you may possess it, that is the matter, whether 
by right or wrong.— Grip. If I took it not fairly, there is no 
reason why you may not give me up to punishment ; but if 
I caught it in a net in the sea, how is it yours rather than 
mine? — Trach. He is cheating us. The matter was carried 
on in this way, as 1 am to mention. — Grip. What do you 
say now? — Trach. As a principal accuser may say, [to Dje- 
moxes.] restrain him, if he is yours ! — Grip. What! do you 
want the same to be done to me, that your master has used 
you to ? If he has been used to restrain you, this master of 
ours is not used to do so to us. — Deem. [Aside. ~\ With that 
word only he has subdued me. [To Trachalio.] What now 
do you wish ? tell me! — Trach. In truth I neither require to 
myself a part from thence out of that cloak-bag, nor have I 
ever said to-day, that it was mine. But there is in it a little 
box, belonging to this woman, whom I lately declared to 
be a free woman. — Deem. Now do you speak of her, who 
you said awhile ago was of my country? — Trach. Yes ! and 
there are toys, which she formerly carried about when she 
was little, in that box there, which is there in the cloak-bag. 
This is of no use to that fellow there, [points at Gripus.] 
and to her it will supply a help, if he shall have given it her, 
by which she may search for her parents. — Deem. I will 
make him give it ; be silent l — Grip. Faith, I am about to 
give nothing to that man. [Points to Trachalio.] — Trach. 
I ask for nothing but the box, and the toys ! — Grip. What, 
if those are golden toys! — Trach. What is that to you? 
Gold shall be paid with gold, silver shall be made equal 
with silver. — Grip. Make me see the gold! Afterward I will 
cause you to see the box. — Deem. [To Gripus.] Take care 
of a flogging, and hold your peace ! [To Trachalio.] Do 



RUDENS. 255 

you go on as you began, to tell us what you have to say. — 
Track. One thing I entreat, that it may compassionate you 
of this woman, if indeed this is the cloak-bag of that Pimp, 
which I suspect it to be. I tell you nothing certain here, 
but only of my opinion. — Grip. Do you see how the wicked 
fellow is striving to get it 7 — Track. Suffer me as I have be- 
gun, to say on. If this cloak-bag is the property of that 
wicked man, of whom I speak, these women will be able to 
have known it. Order him, Sir, to shew it to" them ! — Grip. 
Do you say to shew it? — Deem. He says a just thing, Gri- 
pus, that the cloak-bag be shewn. — Grip. Truly and verily, 
it is remarkably unjust! — Deem. How so ? — Grip. Because 
if I shall have shewn it, they will say at once to-wit, that 
they have known it. — Track. O thou leader of villanies ! 
Do you think that all are so, as you yourself are ? Thou 
principal of perjury ! — Grip. I easily bear all those things, 
until this fellow may feel that he must go away hence 
from me. — Track. [Moving farther off.] But now he stands 
away from you. However, the testimony will go from hence. 
— Deem. Gripus, attend now ! [To Trachalio.] Explain 
thou in a few words what you require ! — Track. I have said 
it in truth. But if you understood it not, I will say it again. 
As I said lately, so it is just, that both these women be free. 
This girl [points to Palestra] was stolen away from Athens, 
when she was little! — Grip. Tell me how those matters ap- 
pertain to the cloak-bag, whether those women may be slaves 
or free ? — Track. Do you wish that all things may be told 
again, you villain, that day-light may fail ? — Deem. Cease 
from abuse, and explain to me what I have asked. — Track. 
It must be that a wooden box is in that cloak-bag there ; 
where the signs are, by which she may be able to know her 
parents, and with which she was lost at Athens when a little 
girl, as I have said before. — Grip. May Jupiter and the gods 
destroy you! What do you say, you sorcerer?— What! Are 
those women dumb, who cannot speak for themselves ? — 
Track. They are silent for that reason, because a good wo- 
man is always silent, rather than talking. — Grip. Then, faith, 
in the way of talking, you are neither a man nor a woman to 
me ! — Track. How then ? — Grip. Because now, neither talk- 
ing nor silent, are you ever good ! Lo ! I beg, will it ever be 
lawful this day for me to speak* 7 — Deem. If, besides this, you 



256 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

shall have brought out one word this day, I will break your 
head. [Shakes his stick at him.'] — Trach. As I began to say, old 
gentleman, I request of you, that you may order this man to 
restore that box to them. If he requests any reward to him- 
self on account of that box, it shall be given him. Any 
thing else, whatever is there, let him have to himself. — 
Grip. Now, at last, you say that, because you know that it 
is my right ; awhile ago you asked for a half share ! — Trach. 
Even now I ask for it. — Grip. I have seen a kite stoop at 
prey, when however, even so, he could carry off nothing. — 
Deem. Can't I restrain you without punishment? — Grip. If 
he is silent, I will be silent. If he speaks, suffer me to speak 
with regard to the affair, on my own side. — Deem. Give me 
now that cloak-bag, Gripus ! — Grip. I will trust it to you ; 
but if there be none of those things, I desire that you may 
give it back to me. — Deem. It shall be returned. — Grip. 
[Giving DjEMONes the cloak-bag.'] Hold it fast! — Deem. 
[Aloud.] Hear now this moment, Palaestra and Ampelisca, 
this that I am speaking! [They approach him from the altar.] 
Is this the cloak-bag, in which you said that your box was 
inside? — Pal. [Looking at it steadfastly.] It is it! — Grip. 
[Aside.] I am undone faith ! and wretched ! how instantly 
she said it was it, before she plainly saw it. — Pal. I will 
make this thing, from a difficult matter, quite plain to 
you. It must be, that a wooden box is there in that cloak- 
bag ! I will tell you all, whatever shall be in it there, by 
name. You shall not have shewn them to me ! If I shall say 
falsely, I shall have spoken in vain. And ye still, whatever 
shall be inside there, shall have those things to yourselves ; 
but if they shall be true and right, then I entreat you, that 
my own things may be restored to me ! — Deem. It is agree- 
able to me ! In my mind, you request in truth mere equity. 
— Trach. And, in mine truly. — Grip. What, if thus she is either 
superstitious, or a diviner, and will mention all things true, 
whatever may be inside, shall the divining witch have them? 
— Deem. She shall not carry them, unless she shall tell them 
exact. In vain she will divine them. Loose the cloak-bag, 
therefore, that I may know as soon as possible, whatever may 
be true ! [D^mones gives the cloak-bag to Gripus, who un- 
ties it ]—Grip. This is it ! It is undone ! [He looks into it.] 
Ah! I have perished! I see the box !— Deem. [To Pa- 



RUDENS. 257 

ljestra, after he has taken out the box.] Is this it? — Pal. 
That is it ! O my parents ! I have you enclosed here ! In 
this place I have built up both my powers and hopes of 
knowing you.— -Grip. Then, by Hercules, it must be, that the 
gods are angry with you, whoever you are, who can have 
crammed your parents into so narrow a place \Dcem. Gri- 
pus, approach hither ! Your business is at stake. You, girl, 
at a distance there, say what may be in it, and of what ap- 
pearance, and mention all things there. If you shall have 
been wrong ever so little, though you may require to your- 
self afterward that it be turned into truth, I say, woman, you 
will have made a very silly business of it! — Grip. You are 
speaking very good justice. — Trach. [To Gripus.] In truth, 
he is not talking to you, for you are a fellow without justice. 
— Deem. Speak now at once, girl! Gripus, attend, and be 
silent! [D^mones opens the box, at a distance from her. ~\ — 
Pah There are toys there \ — Deem. [Stooping his head to the 
box.] Behold 'em ! I see 'em !• — Grip. I have perished at the 
first onset ! [To Demones.] Wait! You will not have shewn 
them to her! — Deem. [To Pa ljestra.] Of what appearance 
are they? Answer in regular order ! Pal. First, there is a 
little golden sword, marked with letters. — Deem. Tell me 
now, what of letters is there in that little sword? — Pal. The 
name of my father. Next I say there is, on the other side, a 
little axe with two handles, also golden and lettered. The 
name of my mother is there in the little axe. — Deem. Wait ! 
Say what is the name of your father in the little sword ? — 
Pal. Dumones! — Dam. [Lifting his hands and eyes.] O, im- 
mortal gods ! In what a place now are all my hopes ! — Grip. 
Yea, verily, where are mine? — Deem. Go on immediately, I 
beg of you ! — Grip. Softly, or go ye all to perdition ! — Deem. 
Say the name of your mother here in the little axe ! what it 
may be I— Pal. Djedalis ! — Deem. [Clasping his hands.] The 
gods wish to preserve me ! — Grip. But to destroy me ! — 
Deem. It must be, Gripus, that this is my daughter. — Grip, 
It may be so, owing to me indeed! [To Trachalio.] But 
may all the gods destroy you, who saw me this day with 
your eyes, and me so absurd, who looked not round a hun- 
dred times, that no one should inspect me, before I drew 
the net out of the water ! — Pal. After that, there is a little 
silver knife, and two little hands joined together, and a little 



258 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

sow. — Grip, But do thou go to the gibbet, with your little 
sow, and your little pigs ! — Pal. There is also a golden 
stud, which my father gave me on my birth-day. — Deem. 
That is there in fact; I cannot be restrained, but must em- 
brace you! [Goes over, and embraces Palestra.] O, my 
daughter! Health be to you! I am that father, who produced 
you! I am Dgemones; and, behold, your mother Dsedalis 
is here within. [She kneels to her father, and kisses his 
hand, iveeping.] — Pal. Health to you, my unhoped for 
father? — Dam. [Raising her up, and embracing her again.] 
Safety to you ! How happy I embrace you ! — Trach. It is a 
pleasure, when that hath happened to you both from your 
piety. — Deem. [To Trach alio.] Take this cloak-bag, and 
carry it in-doors, as well as you can, and mind it, Trachalio! 
— Trach. Behold the villanies of Gripus ! [To Gripus.] I 
congratulate you, that that affair has turned out badly to 
you ! — Dam. Come, let us go, my daughter, to your mother, 
who will be able by explanations to search out this affair 
from you, who had you more in hands, and has known your 
signs more thoroughly. [Djemones takes Palestra, by the 
hand, and conducts her towards his house.] — Trach. Let us all 
go within doors, since we all give a contributed aid! — Pal. 
Follow me, my Ampelisca ! — Amp. When the gods love you, 
it is a great pleasure to me. [Exeunt into the house Djemones, 
and Palaestra, Ayiv^iuisc a following them, and Trachalio 
with the cloak-bag, and box.] — Grip. [Solus.] Am I not an absurd 
fellow, who to-day laid hold of that cloak-bag, and who, when 
I got it, hid it not somewhere in a lonely place ? I did be- 
lieve indeed that the prize would turn out troublesome to 
me, because it had come about to me in so troublesome a 
tempest. I do believe, faith, that there is plenty of gold and 
silver there in that cloak-bag. Now, what is better, than that 
I may go hence in-doors, and hang myself privately ? At least, 
for a little while, until this vexation may depart away from 
me. [Exit Gripus into the house, wiping away his tears with 
his cloak.] 

SCENA QUINTA. 

Enter Djemones from his house. 
Dam. O immortal gods ! who is happier than me, who 
unlooked for suddenly have found my daughter ! [Four lines 



RUDENS. 259 

omitted.] And I will give her to a young man of the best 
family, and ingenuous too ; — an Athenian, and my own rela- 
tion. I wish him therefore to be called hither to me as soon as 
possible, and I ordered his servant to go out from this, that 
he might go to the Forum. I wonder, however, that he has 
not yet gone out. I will, I think, approach the doors. 
[He goes to his door, and peeps in.] What do I see? My wife 
is holding fast her daughter, embracing her round the neck ! 
Her immoderate fondling is almost too foolish and disgust- 
ing ! [He walks away from the door.] 



SCENA SEXTA. 
D^mones goes to the d©or of his house, and throws it open. 

Deem. [Speaking to his wife within.] It is better, wife, that 
a cessation in kissing should be made at some time ! But 
now, prepare things that I may perform a sacred rite, when I 
shall come in-doors, to the lares of the family ! since they 
have thus increased our family. There are at home lambs 
and hogs, fit for sacred use. But, my good women, why do 
ye delay that Trachalio ? and, exceedingly well, behold him 
here, he is going out of doors ! [Djemonks retires, and enter 
Trachalio from the house.] — Track. Wheresoever at all he 
shall be, I will now trace out Pleusidippus,.and bring him 
along with me to you. — Deem. Tell him how this affair hap- 
pened concerning my daughter. Ask him to relinquish other 
affairs, and come hither. — Trach. Certainly ! — Deem. Tell him, 
that I will give my daughter to him as a wife! — Track. Cer- 
tainly ! — Dam. And that I have known his father, and that he 
is a relation to me. — Trach. Certainly ! — Deem. But hasten 
thou. — Trach. Certainly ! — Deem. Make him be there now di- 
rectly, that the supper may be got ready. — Trach. Certainly ! 
— Deem. Are all these things to be certainly? — Tiach. Cer- 
tainly ! But do you know what I wish you to do ? that you 
may remember that which you promised, that I may be free 
to-day. — Deem. Certainly ! — Trach. Take care to prevail on 
Pleusidippus, that he may liberate me. — Deem. Certainly ! 
— Trach. And cause your daughter to entreat him, and she 
will easily prevail upon him. — Deem. Certainly ! — Trach. And 
that Ampelisca may marry me, when I may be free. — Deem. 
Certainly ! — Track. And that I may experience a pleasant 



260 M. ACCII PLAUTI 

benefit from my actions.— Deem. Certainly !— Track. Are all 
things to be certainly ? — Deem. Certainly ! Again I return 
my thanks to you. But hasten to go into the city instantly, 
and take yourself back hither again. — Track. Certainly ! I 
will be here just now; do you, in the mean time, settle out 
every thing remaining that there is need of. — Deem. Cer- 
tainly ! — Track. [Walking away.] May Hercules curse him, 
with that word of his certainly ! He has so rilled my ears with 
it. Whatever I said, he always answered, certainly! [Exit 
Trachalio at the back scene.] 

SCENA SEPTIMA. 

Enter Gripus from the liouse, and accosts D^emones. 
Grip. How soon is it proper to speak to you Daemones ? 
— Deem. What is the business, Gripus? — Grip. If you be 
wise, you may be wise concerning that cloak-bag; you may 
possess what profit the gods give you ! [Twenty-four lines 
omitted, partly on account of the immoderate length of the Act.] 
— Deem. [Angry.] Go in-doors, and don't be troublesome ! 
Govern your tongue ! I am about to give you nothing ! so 
don't disappoint yourself! — Grip. But I beseech the gods 
that whatever is in that bag, if it is gold, or if it is silver, it 
may allbecome ashes! [Exit Gripus into thehouse, muttering 
and stamping.]— D am. [Five lines omitted.] Now I will go in- 
doors from hence, and sacrifice. Afterward I will order a 
supper to be cooked at once for us. [Exit Djemones into 
his house.] 

SCENA OCTAVA. 

Enter at the back scene Pleusidippus, and his servant 
Trachalio. 

Pleus. Repeat to me all these things, my friend, my Tra- 
chalio, my freed man, my patron, yea rather my father ! Has 
Palaestra found her father and mother? — Track. [Coldly.] she 
has found them. — Pleus. And is she a neighbour ? — Track. I 
think so ! — Pleus. And about to marry me ? — Track. I sus- 
pect so ! — Pleus. Do you think he will espouse her to me 
to-day, 1 beg?— Track. I think so !— Pleus. What! shall I 
also congratulate the father, since he has found her? — Track. 
I think so! — Pleus. What! her mother too? — Track. I think 
so!— Pleus. What therefore do you think 1— Track. What 



RUDENS. 261 

you are asking m€, I think !— Pleus. Tell me, therefore, how 
far you think ?— Track. What I? I think so \— Pleus. But 
assume something now, and don't always make a thinking 
business ! — Track. I think so ! — Pleus. What if I may run 
now ? — Track. I think so ! -Pleus. Or rather go thus softly ? 
— Track. I think so! — Pleus. Arriving, may I salute her also? 
— Track. I think so! — Pleus. And her father also? — Track. 
I think so! — Pleus. Afterward, her mother also? — Track. 
I think so !— Pleus. What afterward? Arriving, shall I also 
embrace her father ? — Track. I think not so ! — Pleus. What! 
her mother? — Track. I think not so! — Pleus. What as to 
herself 1— Track. I think not so ! — Pleus. I am undone ! he 
has dismissed every thing chosen! Now he thinks not so, 
when I wish the thing ! — Track. You are not in your senses ! 
follow me ! — Pleus. Lead me, my patron, where it pleases 
you ! [Trachalio leads the way, Pleusidippus follows, and 
exeunt botk of them into D^mones's house.} 



ACTUS QUINTUS. 
SCENA PRIMA. 
Enter La br ax from the back scene. 
Lab. What other of mortals who may live this day, is 
more wretched than me, whom just now Pleusidippus con- 
demned before the Commissioners. Palaestra has just now 
been given away from me by a verdict. I am destroyed ! I 
will now go to see this other girl, who is mine, into the tem- 
ple of Venus, that 1 may carry her away at least, that which 
remains of the relics of my goods. [He retires a few steps.] 

SCENA SECUNDA. 

Enter Grip us from Djemones's house, and the door being 

open, speaks to those within. 

Grip. In truth ye shall never this day at evening see 

Gripus alive, unless the cloak-bag is restored to me !— 

Labr. [Behind.] I have perished when I hear mention made 

any where of my cloak-bag, as if any one may thump my 

2 M 



262 M. A CCII PLAUTI 

breast with a stick!— Grip. [In front.] That villain is free; 
I was the one who took hold of the net in the sea, and fished 
up the cloak-bag, and ye refuse to give to that person any 
thing at all! — Labr. O immortal gods! this man by his 
talking has raised up my ears!— Grip. Faith, I will write a 
cubit's length with long letters, to be published everywhere, 
that if any one may have lost a cloak-bag with much gold 
and silver, he may come to Gripus. Ye shall not carry off 
that as ye require \—Labr. [Behind.] By Hercules, that man 
knows of my cloak-bag, and the person that has it, as I think. 
That man is to be accosted by me! O gods, assist me, 
I pray ! [Four lines omitted.]— Labr. [Going up to him.] 
Young man, salutation to you!— Grip. [Staring at him.] 
May the gods love you, with that unshorn head of yours! — 
Labr. How fares it?— Grip. [To those within.] The truth will 
be wiped out.— Labr. How are you in health 1—Grip. [To him.] 
What are you at? are you a surgeon, I beg? — Labr. Yea, 
verily, I am more than a surgeon by one letter! — Grip. Then 
you are a bankrupt, are you? — Labr. You have touched on 
the point! — Grip. Your appearance seems worthy of it ! But, 
what happened to you ? — Labr. In this last night I drenched 
in the sea. My ship was wrecked. I, wretched, lost there 
my all, whatsoever it was. — Grip. What have you lost? — 
Labr. My cloak-bag, with much gold and silver. — Grip. Do 
you remember at all, in the cloak-bag that is lost, what may 
have been in it there? — Labr. What does it signify as 
to that which has been lost? — Grip. However, if you don't 
speak of this, let us talk of another matter. What, if I may 
know the man who can have found it? I wish to know from 
you the marks. — Labr. Eight hundred golden pieces have 
been in that, in a purse ; and a hundred Philippian coins be- 
sides, in a bit of leather apart. — Grip. [Aside.] Odds-bobs, it 
is a great prize ! I shall get plenty of reward. The gods re- 
gard men. I shall go hence well tipped with cash ! for truly 
the cloak-bag is this man's property. [To Labrax.] Go on 
to tell the other things. — Labr. A great talent of silver, 
exactly, was in it, in a purse! — Grip. Heyday! you had in- 
deed splendid riches! — Labr. That is a miserable word, and 
the very worst, to have had them, and to have nothing now. 
— Grip. What may you wish to give him, who can trace 
them out for you, and discover them? Speak out at once, 



RUDENS. 263 

hastily and quickly ! — Labr. Three hundred pieces of money. 
— Grip. You are- joking! — Labr. Four hundred!— Grip. 
You are giving me rotten thread! — Labr. Five hundred! 
— Grip. A mere empty nut! — Labr. Six hundred! — Grip. 
You are chattering about little maggots ! — Labr. I will give 
you seven hundred ! — Grip. Your mouth grows hot! but are 
you offering cold cockles ? — Labr. I will give you a thousand 
pieces of money ! — Grip. You are dreaming now ! — Labr, 
I add no more. Get away ! [Pushes him away.~\ — Grip. 
Hear me therefore! Faith, if I shall have gone away from 
hence, why I shall not be here ! — Labr. Do you wish me to 
give one thousand one hundred? — Grip. You are asleep! — 
Labr. Speak out how much you may require ! — Grip. That 
you may add nothing reluctant, I must have a great talent. 
There cannot be any abatement from this, three farthings. 
There, say it thou, or refuse it! — Labr. [Aside.] I see what is 
necessary there. [To Gripus.] A talent shall be given! — 
Grip. Approach hither then ! I wish this Venus may have a 
claim on you ! [Points to the altar.] — Labr. Whatever is 
pleasing to you, command it me ! — Grip. Touch this altar of 
Venus.— Labr. [Goes to the altar.] 1 do touch it! — Grip. 
You must swear by this Venus. — Labr. What must I swear ? 
— Grip. What I will order you. — Labr. Go on first to say in 
words what you wish. I will never supplicate to any one, 
as to that which is at home. — Grip. Hold fast this altar! — 
Labr. [Stretching his handout,] I do hold it. — Grip. Swear that 
you will give me the money, on the same day when you shall 
have possessed the cloak-bag \—Labr. Let it be so. — Grip. 
[Labrax repeating after him.] O Venus of Cyrene, I call you 
to witness to me, if I shall have traced out that cloak-bag 
which I lost in the ship, saved with its gold and silver, and 
it shall have come into my power — — Grip. [By himself .] 
Then I say to this Gripus, — say that and touch me ! — Labr. 

Then I say to this Gripus, that you Venus may hear it • 

Grip. [Labrax repeating after him.] I will immediately 
give a great talent of silver! Grip. If you shall have de- 
frauded me, say, that Venus may root you out in your trade, 
as to your person and life ! Account this to have regard to 
you still, when you shall have sworn. — Labr. And if I shall 
have done wrong in any way against him, Venus, I supplicate 
you, that all pimps may be miserable I— Grip. That will be, 
however, although you shall have kept your faith. Do vou 



264 M. A ecu PLAUTI 

wait here; and I will now cause that the old gentleman shall 
go out. Do you immediately ask back that cloak-bag. 
[Exit Gripus into D.emones's house.] — Labr. [Solus.] If he 
shall have restored to me very properly that cloak-bag, I this 
day do not owe him three farthings! It is my own decision, 
as to what my tongue may swear. But I will hold my tongue 
about that ! — [He looks at the door of the house, which is opened.] 
Behold him, he is going out, and conducts the old man ! 
[Lab rax retires.] 

SCENA TERTIA. 

Enter from the house Gripus, and D emon es following him. 

Grip. Follow me this way! [Looks about.] Where is that 
Pimp ? Hillo you ! harkye you ! This man has the cloak-bag ! 
[La br ax comes up to them.] Dam. I have it, and confess 
that it is at my house ; and if it is yours, you may have it to 
yourself! All things as they were in it, in whatsoever 
way, so they shall be made good to you. Keep it, if it is 
yours ! [D^emones goes into the house, and returning with the 
cloak-bag under his arm, gives it to Labrax.] Labr. [Looking 
at it.] Oh, immortal gods, it is mine! hail, dear cloak-bag! 
[Hugs it in his anns.] — Deem. Is it yours ? — Labr. Do you 
ask? If, by Hercules, it was Jupiter's, it is mine notwithstand- 
ing! — Dam. All things are in it safe. One little box only 
was taken out from thence with toys, by which I this day 
found my daughter. — Labr. Whom ? — Dam. She who was 
your Palaestra ! She is found to be my daughter. — Labr. By 
Hercules, it is well done ! I rejoice when that affair has turned 
out well to you, according to your liking! — Dam. I do not 
easily believe you as to that. — Labr. Yes, by Hercules, that 
you may know that I rejoice, give me not three farthings on 
account of her ! I excuse you. — Deem. In truth you do 
kindly. — Labr. Verily indeed you do so in truth.— Grip, 
[Coming up to Labrax.] Harkye you ! now you can have the 
cloak-bag ! — Labr. I have it. — Grip. Hasten ! — Labr. Why 
shall I hasten? — Grip. To give me the money I— Labr. Faith, 
I neither give you any thing, nor owe it you ! — Grip. What 
is this sort of doing? Do you not owe it mel—Labr. No, 
in truth, by Hercules ! — Grip. Have you not been sworn to 
me ?—Labr. I have been sworn ; and I will swear now, if it 
be any pleasure to me ! My oath is founded on preserving 



RUDENS. 265 

my property, not in destroying it. — Grip. Give me the great 
talent of silver, thou most perjured fellow! — Deem. What 
talent that you are requiring? — Grip. He was sworn to give 
it me. — Labr. It pleases me to swear, and are you the high 
priest to my perjury ? — Deem. [To Gripus.] For what affair 
has he promised the money to you ? — Grip. If I should have 
brought back into his power the cloak-bag just as it was, he 
was sworn to give me a great talent of silver ! — Labr. Give 
me some one, in whom I may have a judge, if you have not 
bargained with wicked deceit, and if I even now be not 
twenty-five years old. — Grip, Have a judge in this man! 
[Points at D^mones.] — Labr. There is need of another. — 
Deem. [To Gripus.'] Now I will not suffer you to take it from 
him, unless I shall have condemned him! [To Labrax.] 
Have you promised him the money ? — Labr. I do confess it. 
— -Deem. What you promised to my slave, it is fit should be 
mine. You, Pimp, must not require to use your pimping law 
here! You are notable. — Grip. [To Labrax.] You thought 
now that you had got a man, whom you could defraud ! This 
money must be given in hither properly! I will give it im- 
mediately to him, [points to his master] in such a way, that 
he must make me free here. — Deem. [To Labrax.] Since 
therefore I have been so kind towards you, and these things 
were preserved to you by my operation. — Grip. [Interrupting.] 
Yea, mine, by Hercules, don't say with yours! — Dam. [To 
Gripus.] If you will be wise, you will be silent! [To 
Labrax.] Then it becomes you kindly, in the same manner, 
to return the favour properly to me, so well deserving of you. 
— Labr. Now you are speaking for my right \—Dcem. It were 
wonderful, if I was not to require your right from you, that 
is yours, at my own hazard of a refusal! — Grip. [Abide.] I 
am safe. The Pimp, I think, is comipg about. Liberty to 
me is portended. — Deem. [Pointing at Gripus.] That man 
found the cloak-bag. He is my slave. I preserved it more- 
over for you with much money in it. — Labr. I have gratitude 
to you, and concerning the talent, there is no reason why 
you may not have, what I was sworn to give to him. — Grip. 
Harkye, you! give it to me, therefore, if you are wise ! — Deem. 
Are you silent, or are you not? [Shakes his stick at Gripus.] 
— Grip. You are pretending to transact my business ; but you 
shall not turn me away from that reward, if I have lost the 
other prize! — Deem. [Shaking hisjist at him.] You shall be 



2CG M. ACCII PLAUTI RUDENS. 

flogged, if you shall add one word such as that! — Grip. By 
Hercules, put me even to death, but I will not be silent ever, 
by any other means, unless I am restrained by that talent 
given to me ! — Labr. [To Gripus.] He is indeed giving his 
attention to you, so hold your tongue ! — Deem. [Going to the 
side scene.] Step aside here, Pimp ! — Labr. By all means. 
[Goes over to him.] — Grip. [Roaring out.] Act openly ! I don't 
like that any murmur, or whisper be made. — Deem. [To 
Labrax.] Tell me at how great price you bought that other 
woman of yours, Ampelisca ? — Labr. I counted down a 
thousand pieces. — Deem. Are you willing that I should 
make a handsome bargain with you? — Labr. In truth, I am 
willing. — Deem. I will divide the talent ! — Labr. You must 
doit properly \ — Dazm. Do thou take the half to yourself for 
that other woman, that she may be free, and give half to 
him! [Points to Gripus.] — Labr. Very well ! — Deem. For 
that half I will set Gripus free, by means of whom you found 
your cloak-bag, and I found my daughter. — Labr. You do 
well. I have great thankfulness to you. [They return from the 
side scene.] — Grip. How soon therefore is the money restored 
to me ? — Deem. The sum of money is paid off, Gripus, and 
I have it. — Grip. By Hercules, but I have rather, that I 
myself got it! — Deem. In truth, there is nothing here for you, 
you may not hope for it ! I wish you may excuse him of the 
oath ! — Grip. [Clapping his hands together.] I have perished, 
by Hercules! Unless I hang myself, I am lost! You shall 
never truly defraud me again indeed after this day. — Deem. 
Sup with me here to-day, Pimp \—Labr. Let it be so, the 
proposal pleases me. — Deem. Follow me both of you within- 
doors! [He addresses the Audience.] Spectators, I would in- 
vite you also to supper, but that I can give you nothing, and 
there is no costly banquet at home ; and, if I were not to be- 
lieve to that effect, that you were invited abroad to supper. 
But, if you will be willing to give loud applause to this 
comedy, come ye all to revel at my house sixteen years 
hence! [To Labrax and Grtpus.] Sup with me both of 
you here to-day ! [To the Audience.] Grant ye to us your 
applause! 



END OF THE RUDENS. 



AN ACCOUNT 



LIFE OF PLAUTUS: 



ALSO, 

AN OPINION OF HIS WRITINGS, AND THE JUDGMENT OF SOME ANCIENT 
WRITERS RESPECTING THEM. SOME OBSERVATIONS ARE ALSO MADE 
ON THE GOOD QUALITIES OF TERENCE'S COMEDIES. 



Marcus Accius Plautus was a Sarsinian of the country 
of Umbria, a territory near the Appennines in Italy. He was 
a famous writer of comedies; and flourished, as Gellius tes- 
tifies, about the fifteenth year after the second Punic war 
was begun. He was a man of a pleasant disposition, and 
humorous turn of mind, and festive manners. This cha- 
racter of him is fully proved by his comedies, many of which 
are replete with droll and humorous thoughts, and situa- 
tions highly comic and entertaining. The Latin is elegant, 
and in excellence of style not to be exceeded. The dia- 
logues are fine, and well carried on. His plots are ingeni- 
ously contrived, proceed in the truest and best dramatic 
order, and are finally well developed and concluded. We 
speak here of his best plays, and these fairly prove the 
writer of them to have possessed a dramatic genius of the 
very first order. 

Much information concerning Plautus has not been 
handed down to us. It appears that, in the composition 
of his plays, he chiefly imitated Diphilus and Philemon; 
but is also said to have followed the example and manner 
of Epicharmus. He is reported to have made great profit 
by his comedies, and amassed a large sum of money, so as 
to be enabled to setup the business of a merchant, and deal 
pretty largely in traffic. In this pursuit he probably went 



270 AN ACCOUNT OF THE 

beyond his means ; for he soon, from whatever cause it pro- 
ceeded, whether the former, or ignorance in business, or his 
extravagance, totally failed in trade, and was reduced to 
poverty, having lost all his money. He then returned to 
Rome in great distress; and, to gain a livelihood, hired his 
services to a baker, for the low employment of turning the 
hand-mills, that were used in grinding corn. Gellius says, 
that he wrote three comedies, while in the bake-house. At 
length, as M. Cicero observes, Publius Claudius, and L. 
Portius being consuls, and Cato being censor, Plautus died, 
not long after the famous writer Ennius, in the 145th 
Olympiad. An epitaph was made for him, or, as is said, 
was of his own composition (a fact scarcely to be credited, 
on account of the vanity of it), which is as follows : 

Postquam est morte captus Plautus, 
Comaedia Iugct, scena est deserta. 
Deinde risus, ludus, jocusque, et nuraeri 
Ianuraeri, simul oranes cullacrymarunt. 

There have been doubts concerning the number of come- 
dies that Plautus wrote. Servius says, that some people 
thought the number of them to be twenty-one, others forty, 
and some imagined there were a hundred. Varro produced 
into notice one-and-twenty of them. But L. Elius, a very 
learned scholar, estimated them at twenty-five. Plautus 
was so highly thought of among the ancients, that Quin- 
tillian affirms Varro wrote, "the Muses, in the opinion of 
Epius Stolo, would have spoken in the language of Plautus, 
if they could have wished to speak in Latin." This in truth 
is a high testimonial of the elegance of his language. 
Cicero praises Plautus most strenuously. Volcatius, a man 
renowned himself as a writer, gives the second place in ex- 
cellence of comedy to Plautus. Macrobius says he excelled 
other comic writers in the elegance of his humour, and fun, 
and witty jokes. Numbers of others have given the highest 
praises and encomiums to Plautus. The following lines 
may be quoted here : 

Volcatius Sedigitus de Poetis Comicis, upud Gellivm, lib. 15, cap. 24. 

Multos incertos certare hanc rem vidimus 
Palmam Poetze Comico cui deferant. 
Eura meojudicio errorem dissolvam tibi; 
Ut contra si quis sentiat, nil sentiat. 
Cvecilio palmam Statio do Comico; 



LIFE OF PLAUTUS. 271 

Plautu9 secundus facile exsceperat csteros. 
Dein Naevius, qui servet, pretio in tertio est. 
At si quid' quarto detur, dabitur Licinio. 
Attilium post Licinium facio insequi. 
In sexto consequhur hos Terentius. 

The moderns cannot allow of the inferiority of Terence to 
Plautus, as asserted in the above old criticism. Terence, on 
the contrary, is much superior to Plautus in feeling and 
sensibility, in humanity and philanthropy. His humanity 
is distinguishable in that excellent line, 

Homo sum ; humani nihil a me alienum puto. 

No line can be found in Plautus of an equally feeling tenor. 
Is there any such sensibility and humanity in any of his 
comedies ? The character of Micio, in the Adelphi of Te- 
rence, gives such tine sentiments of generosity and benevo- 
lence, as must place Terence in the highest rank of ancient 
writers. It is probable that these noble qualities, in the 
characters and drama of Terence, were lost and thrown away 
upon the generality of the ancients, who felt no such qua- 
lities in themselves, and were therefore insensible to them, 
and even disliked them, approving nothing in comedy, but 
roguery and tricking, jest and fun. Hence, in the Latin 
criticism before quoted, Terence has been degraded to the 
sixth degree of comic writers. A testimony in favour of 
Terence will be found in the following line, which is to be 
quoted as a set-off* against the before-mentioned lines, that 
degrade him to the sixth rank of merit in dramatic com- 
position. Afranius actually prefers him to all the writers, 
where he says, 

Terentio non similem dices quempiam. 

Cicero praises him in the following most elegant verses, 

Tu quoque qui solus lecto sermone, Terenti, 
Conversum, expressumque Latina voce Menandruni 
In medio populi sedatis vocibus effers, 
Quicquid come loquens, ac omnia dulcia dicens. 

That a reader may be a judge of the excellence of Te- 
rence's sentimental feelings, in contriving and executing the 
most affecting scenes, let him turn his attention to the scene 
between iEschinus and Micio in the fourth act, fifth scene, 
of the Adelphi, which no one can read, or see acted, without 
being much moved, and allowing the great powers of the 
2n 



272 AN ACCOUNT OF THE 

author of the comedy. In the Andria also, a most affecting 
scene is to be noticed, which occurs between the father and 
son after the words, 

Age, Pamphile ! Exi, Pampliile ! ecquid te pudet? 

These two just mentioned scenes, besides many other very 
interesting ones, stamp a degree of merit upon Terence's 
writings, that most certainly cannot be exceeded by any 
ancient dramatic writer whatsoever. 

Plautus's excellencies consist, first, in elegance and fine 
style of language, though by no means superior to the La- 
tinity of the elegant Terence, " qui omnia dulcia dixit." 
Plautus differs from the latter in the abundance of singular 
and uncommon words, which, as far as we know, were not 
used by any other Latin author, though most probably' well 
known among the people of Rome, at the period when he 
wrote his plays. Secondly, in good dialogue, full of point, 
and much to be admired, as well for its matter and curious 
turn of thought, as for the beauty of its language, and the 
style of putting the words together. Thirdly, in jocoseness, 
fun, and humour of some particular characters, and their 
pleasant contrivances and deceptions. Fourthly, in the 
well-fabricated stories and plots, which are most ingeniously 
carried on. Of the morality of his plays, little can be said 
in its favour ; and it is to be supposed, the people were 
immoral and bad (to whom he suited his taste), when they 
could openly allow of pimps of the most nefarious lives and 
characters, who are introduced in some of Plautus's best 
plays, and carry on their vile professions before an audience 
of approving citizens. Plautus has sometimes, however, 
sentiments expressive of propriety and good conduct in life, 
incumbent on men, and on citizens. His plays abound in 
tricks and deceit, where old men are cheated and imposed 
on, and are silly, wrong-headed and blundering, and even 
vicious ; but, as a contrast, there are other old men wise, 
clear-sighted, and honest. There is a play of Plautus, of 
comic excellence, full of mistakes of persons, the MenaBchmi ; 
a specimen of a plot truly comic, in which every matter is 
ingeniously carried on in jumbles and mistakes, until at 
length the incident to be wished for, is well and satisfactorily 
brought about. There is immorality, however, interwoven 
in the play, as usual. The Rudens is a very good play. 



LIFE OF PLAUTUS. 273 

The Aulularia is an excellent comedy ; this and the Me- 
neechmi are well suited to the classical stage, and setting 
aside the question of some immorality in the Mensechmi, 
would succeed well, and call forth great applause, if acted 
at Westminster College. 

Several of Plautus's plays are dull and uninteresting, the 
plots and characters being equally dull and heavy. The 
seven comedies in the foregoing translation seem to be the 
best of all his plays, though a few of the other plays possibly 
may be thought by some scholars to equal them. But, 
though the language of the others is doubtless equally 
good, their dramatic qualities and effects may be far infe- 
rior; and a classical scholar should have in himself a dra- 
matic talent to enable him to decide rightly on the matter. 
The author of this translation does not arrogate to himself 
more dramatic skill and knowledge, than others of the Lite- 
rati possess ; but, after some pains and labour in studying 
many of the plays, he offers the seven he has translated, as 
the best to be found in the collection, as far as he had studied 
them, and had been enabled to decide. 



CONCLUDING ADVERTISEMENT. 



JAMQUE OPUS EXEGI. 



With much trouble, attention, and perseverance, I have en- 
deavoured to rescue from oblivion seven excellent Comedies 
of Plautus. It is too true that his plays are consigned to 
oblivion; for few of our classical scholars know any thing 
about them, and the book is not read at any schools, public 
or private. The few studious men, who have dipped into the 
classic, understand the author very superficially ; and, as I 
believe, have but a smattering knowledge of any of his co- 
medies. It is much to be regretted that the fine classic 
should be so neglected. But it is to be hoped that some 
critical scholar will clear away the mist of ignorance that 
envelopes an ancient book of excellent Latin, by publishing 
a Latin edition of Plautus's best plays, properly expurged ; 
and that then the masters of schools and seminaries will in- 
troduce them into the course of study among their young 
scholars. 

As for myself, fatigued as I am, after a persevering appli- 
cation to this work of translation, and the tiresome task of 
writing it out for the press (wo trifling matter altogether to me 
at the age of seventy -two, when gout and some infirmities oppress 
me), I take my leave of classics, and consign to others the 
task of translating, and bringing into notice, the works of 
ancient, and neglected Classic Authors — Inveni portum. 

GEORGE SACKVILLE COTTER. 



Printed by J. F. Dove, St. John's Square. 



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